Chapter 9 - Bioprospecting, biotransformation and bioremediation potential of fungi in freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

Aquatic fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotic creatures. Since 1944, marine fungi have been widely investigated, particularly wood-inhabiting fungi. Aquatic fungi have recently become a focus of research, particularly for bioprospecting. They can produce several novel molecules with bioactive capabilities, including enzymes, antibiotics, anticancer properties, and bioremediation. Certain aquatic fungi play an essential role in the decomposing of xenobiotics and also in nutrient cycling. Aquatic fungi can treat organic or metal contaminants in surface soils, concentrated or trace organic pollutants in water streams, remove metals from water streams, volatile organic chemicals from air streams, and remove organic impurities. The polysaccharide- and polyphenol-degrading enzymes found in some aquatic fungi are more diverse and effective than those found in terrestrial fungi, indicating them to play an important role in biotransformation. In this chapter, we have tried to outline fungi’s metabolic and ecological characteristics that make them suitable for use in the bioremediation of pollutants, bioprospecting- for the search of new biologically active compounds, and in the biotransformation of toxic wastes and contaminants.