How+does+mycoremediation+work?

=__How does Mycoremediation work?__=

The capacity of fungi to decompose forms the heart of the science of mycoremediation. Fungi are able to metabolise complex organic compounds through the use of powerful enzymes (Bamforth & Singleton, 2005). There are an estimated 6 million species of fungi with around 50 thousand recorded so far (Stamet, 1999). There is large characteristic variation between strains of fungi, with different strains able to breakdown and metabolise different compounds. It is this great variation combined with the huge number of different fungi species that allows for exciting and dynamic approaches for the science of mycoremediation.

The most developed branch of mycoremediation is concerned with 'white rot fungi'. The white rot fungi are a physiologically rather than taxonomically similar group of fungi which produce enzymes that break down lignin and other similar multi-chained compounds. Lignin is a complex chemical compound which is most commonly derived from wood, forming an integral part of the secondary cell walls of plants. Lignin is chemically similar to compounds such as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and other pollutants and for this reason white rot fungi enzymes are also able to break down hydrocarbons and other chemically similar compounds (Pointing, 2001).


 * = [[image:oysters_oil_2.jpg width="478" height="298" align="left" caption="Oyster mushrooms growing on petroleum contaminated soil"]] ||= [[image:oysters_oil_3.jpg width="475" height="298" align="right" caption="Grass growing on previously contaminated soil treated with oyster mushrooms"]] ||

The lignolytic properties of fungi are by no means limited to the white rot fungi. There is a wide variety of fungi that have been proven to metabolise PAHs. Of the many strains that have been identified to degrade PAHs the zygomycetes, ascomycetes and the brown-rot basidiomycetes have all shown significant potential to metabolise PAHs (Cerniglia, 1997).

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Author: Justin Hurley Ley