ECONOMIC
IMPORTANCE OF
FUNGI
INTRODUCTION
FUNGI which is separate from plants,
animals & bacteria belong to kingdom
MYCOTA (kingdom fungi). The kingdom
includes the unicellular and multicellular
achlorophyllous plants. They are heterotrophs
showing saprophytic or parasitic or symbiotic
life cycles & are called as ‘NATURAL
SCAVENGERS’ as they decompose the bodies
of plants & animals & convert them into
organic matter & further decompose them into
elemental stage . Thus fungi serve as an
important link in the food chain. Fungi also
play a vital role in the initiation of the detritus
food chain & maintain the balance in
ecosystem.
USEFUL ASPECTS
[Link] USED AS FOOD
Fungi have been used as a source of food throughout much of
history .A variety of mushrooms ,morels and truffles are used as
food .They are often used in the manufacturing of food such as yeast,
which is used in the fermentation of fruit juice to produce wine.
Yeasts are also used to produce beer and are used in the process of
making bread.
MUSHROOMS – There are about 2ooo species of edible mushrooms.
Some of the other mushrooms are poisonous & called as
TOADSTOOLS .And non-poisonous edible mushroom like ‘corprinus
species’ found in lawns.
They form an ideal dish for diabetic patients. Other constituents
found in them are nicotinic acid, ribo-flavin ,panthothenic acid
,vitaminB,C & K, biotin ,thiamine ,minerals, lipids & folic acid.
YEAST- It contains a complete protein consisting of
large number of free amino acids besides
fats , mineral salts, vitamins etc. Yeast can be utilized by
human ,cattles , sheeps, horses and poultry either directly
or as a raw material.
MOREL – The genus morchella is rather well known as
edible fungus under the names morel or sponge mushroom.
The morels are highly prized for being delicious.
TRUFFLES – When they mature their fruiting bodies emit a
powerful odour and the subterranean fruiting bodies are
gathered usually with the assistance of trained dogs or
pigs .These animals locate them by their odour.
Morels are Ascomycete Fungi
[Link] USED IN INDUSTRIES
Fungi are widely used in various kinds of
biotechnology based industries such as –
Cheese industry - ASPERGILLUS and
PENICILLIUM are commonly used in baking and
cheese industries. Species – [Link] ,
[Link] ,[Link] etc.
Brewing industry - The fermentation process is a
remarkable function by yeast cells. These are
employed in distilleries to manufacture various
types of beverages. Species
used to make beers & wines.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae(beer yeast)
Taette is an alcoholic beverage
prepared from milk and yeast causes
the characteristics changes in
flavour, Sake is usually used in Japan
as alcoholic beverage it is a yellow
rice wine containing 14% of alchohol
Baking industry
The baker’s yeast (saccharomyces
cerevisiae) is used in baking industry. The
carbondioxide released during fermentation
is responsible to make the bread fluffy
Alcohol industry
Yeast are used in preparing alcoholic
beverages from yeast itself. Yale, Beer,
Brandy, Kefir, Kunin, Mead, Rum, Whisky
and Wine are prepared from this.
Enzymes
Various kind of enzymes are synthesized on
a commercial scale utilizing fungi
Aspergillus niger uses starch digesting
enzymes. [Link] synthesizes an
enzyme capable of destroying tartrates and
recommended its use in the commercial
preparation of grape juice.
Medicines
Fungi have been found to be responsible
for producing certain anti biotic drugs
which inhibit the growth of pathogenic
micro organisms. Certain strains of
penicillin chrysogenum and penicillin
notatum are used in commercial preparation
of penicillion, it can kill the bacteria that
causes phnemonia, sore throat and
supparation.
Anti biotics
The metabolic products produced by certain
fungi which inhibit the growth of or destroy
the bacteria and other micro organisms are
called anti biotics .These are anti-bacterial
anti-fungal and to some extent anti-viral
[Link] also can accelarate the
growth of smaller animals and [Link]
substances were first established by sir
Alexander fleming in 1929.
