Fungal Biotechnology

Traditional studies in mycology mainly deal with damage caused by fungi, for instance, diseases of plants, animal ailments, air-borne pathogens, decomposition of wood and production of mycotoxins in food. Applied mycology focuses on the fermentation of foods (flours, bakery products, cheese and others) and production of fermented products (wine, beer and spirit). Further value-added approaches show the significance of fungi in the production of bioactive metabolites and pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of human diseases, including cancer, and plant diseases (e.g. pest control). Due to a dependence on fossil resources, production of bio-renewable merchandise gained importance and fungi serve as potential biological agents in sustaining global economy. Recent developments in mycology revealed their significance in the fields of advanced research, in particular building materials, packaging resources, electronic devises and leather-like goods. In addition, fungi possess several qualities to degrade non-biodegradable compounds in the ecosystem and assist in sustainable waste bioremediation.

This book covers the current biotechnological advances and bio-prospect potential of fungi. Fungal biopolymers possess various applications, including prebiotics, therapeutics, immunoceuticals, drug-discovery and drug-delivery. Fungal bioactive metabolites have several implications beyond antibiotics, such as volatiles, biofuels, nematicides and pigments. They also serve as prospective tools in the production of nanoparticles of medicinal, nutritional and industrial significance. In view of environmental protection, fungal activity and products aid in bioremediation via degradation of xenobiotics and solid wastes. Fungi can produce agriculturally compatible metabolites to enhance plant production. Knowledge on fungal genomics facilitates the gene manipulation towards biotechnological applications (disease diagnosis, pathogen detection, gene expression and mutualistic interactions). This book addresses the application of fungi in different areas and serves as a potential knowledge bank for graduates, post-graduates and researchers contemplating fungal applications.

Dr. Sunil K. Deshmukh received his Ph.D. in Mycology from Dr H S Gour University, Sagar, India in 1983. He is a veteran industrial mycologist who spent a substantial part of his career at Hoechst Marion Roussel Limited [now Sanofi India Ltd.], Mumbai, and Piramal Enterprises Limited, Mumbai, in drug discovery. He has to his credit 8 patents, 135 publications, and 14 books on various aspects of fungi and natural products of microbial origin. He was the president of the Mycological Society of India (MSI). He is a fellow of MSI, the Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, the Society for Applied Biotechnology, and Maharashtra Academy of Science. He was a Fellow at NanoBiotechnology Centre, TERI, New Delhi, and adjunct Associate Professor in Deakin University, Australia, till Jan 2019 who had been working towards the development of natural food colours, antioxidants, and biostimulants through nanotechnology intervention. He is a also an advisor to Agpharm Bioinnovations LLP, Patiala, Punjab, India since January 2019.

Dr. Kandikere R. Sridhar is an adjunct professor in the Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University and Yenepoya (Deemed to be University). His main areas of research are "Diversity and Ecology of Fungi of the Western Ghats, Mangroves and Marine Habitats". He was NSERC postdoctoral fellow/visiting professor in Mount Allison University, Canada; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ and Martin Luther University, Germany; Center of Biology, University of Minho, Portugal. He was a recipient of The Shome Memorial Award (2004), became Vice-President (2013), President (2018) and Lifetime Achievement Awardee (2019) by the Mycological Society of India. He was a fellow of Indian Mycological Society, Kolkata (2014), Distinguished Asian Mycologist (2015) and Outstanding Leader in Education and Research, Association of Agricultural Technology of Southeast Asia (2016). He was awarded UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship (2014-2017). He is considered one of the top 2% scientists in the field of mycology (2020-21) based on the survey by the Stanford University, USA. He has authored over 450 publications and edited eight books.

Prof. Susanna M. Badalyan finished her university studies in Biology in 1980. In 1982, she obtained a postgraduate degree in Mycology from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia. She has received her PhD (1988) and DSc (1998) degrees in Botany/Mycology in the Yerevan State University (YSU), Armenia. Prof. Badalyan has 40 years of research experience in Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, particularly related to the studies of life cycle and asexual sporulation in Agaricomycetes fungi. She has been a group leader to study medicinal mushrooms at the YSU. Since 2005, she is a full Professor and Principal Researcher, head of the Laboratory of Fungal Biology and Biotechnology of YSU. Prof. Badalyan has led several national and international projects and has been awarded with research fellowships and grants from NATO, DAAD and other international organizations. She has carried out research and lectured in universities in Germany, Italy, France and other countries. She has authored 270 publications and contributed to 80 international scientific meetings. She is an editorial board member, referee and reviewer for several international journals, PhD theses and research projects. Prof. Badalyan is a lecturer of Bachelor and Master Courses in Biology, Botany, Fungal Genetics and Cytology, Fungal Taxonomy and Phylogeny. She has supervised 70 PhD, Master and Bachelor students.