Bioremediation-Techniques and Methods

4. Mycoremediation

Fungi are used in mycoremediation, a subclass of bioremediation, to break down, restore, and repair damaged environments . The long threads (hyphae) of the fungi used in mycoremediation  adhere to roots, rocks, and soil particles to form a filamentous body that can withstand heavy metals and adjust its growth to temperature, pH, and nutrient variations. Because of their unique hyphal network, biomass, and long lifecycle, fungi are preferred over bacteria in the bioremediation of polluted settings.

Fungi's broad metabolic range allows for a wide range of applications in the removal of different pollutants. Polysaccharides and proteins containing amino, phosphate, hydroxyl, sulfate, and carboxyl groups that bind metal ions are found in fungal cell walls.

The ligand atoms required to create complexes with metal ions, which draw and hold metals in the biomass, are supplied by these functional groups. By choosing metal-tolerant fungus from a contaminated environment, the potential for metal removal is assessed. An efficient site-specific bioremediation method may involve the bioaugmentation of fungus that have the ability to absorb metals.