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.

Large scale cultivation of macrofungi is possible with fermentation, using easily accessible lignocellulosic agricultural residues utilising economical methods to generate substantial biomass, food and biofuels. Bioconversion of lignocellulosic wastes by macrofungi generates value-added fungal nutritional biomass for humans and livestock. Besides commercial cultivation techniques, other topics covered include healing potential of mushrooms, industrial opportunities, mycelium-based products, forest wild mushrooms and industrial applications of white rot fungi. This book addresses the various applications of macrofungi. It encourages readers to explore non-conventional sources of nutrition as well as bioactive metabolites to serve as nutraceuticals. The volume emphasizes the significance of macrofungi as source of bioactive compounds to remedy human lifestyle diseases especially cancers and cardiovascular ailments along with immunostimulation potential by Cordyceps. This book also emphasises on the role of mushrooms as a source of cosmeceuticals, source of flavors, essence, scents and perfumes.

Imparts the techniques of commercial cultivation of mushrooms. Offers methods of macrofungal bioconversion of agrowastes. Provides a broad outline on macrofungal biofuel production. Furnishes outline on industrial potentials of white rot fungi by fermentation. Discusses bioactive metabolites and their application in remediating human lifestyle diseases. Converses nutritional benefits of macrofungi like vitamins, proteins, amino acids, minerals and polysaccharides. Communicates bioactive metabolites like perfumes, cosmeceuticals and pigments for food and textile industries. Denotes insight on industrial applications of wild mushrooms, mycelium-based products and wild mushrooms from forest to market. Proposes the prospects of melanin from higher fungi and their ex situ conservation, structural and functional attributes of melanin from termitophilic Agaricales.

Imparts the techniques of commercial cultivation of mushrooms. Offers methods of macrofungal bioconversion of agrowastes. Provides a broad outline on macrofungal biofuel production. Furnishes outline on industrial potentials of white rot fungi by fermentation. Discusses bioactive metabolites and their application in remediating human lifestyle diseases. Converses nutritional benefits of macrofungi like vitamins, proteins, amino acids, minerals and polysaccharides. Communicates bioactive metabolites like perfumes, cosmeceuticals and pigments for food and textile industries. Denotes insight on industrial applications of wild mushrooms, mycelium-based products and wild mushrooms from forest to market. Proposes the prospects of melanin from higher fungi and their ex situ conservation, structural and functional attributes of melanin from termitophilic Agaricales.

Large scale cultivation of macrofungi is possible with fermentation, using easily accessible lignocellulosic agricultural residues utilising economical methods to generate substantial biomass, food and biofuels. Bioconversion of lignocellulosic wastes by macrofungi generates value-added fungal nutritional biomass for humans and livestock. Besides commercial cultivation techniques, other topics covered include healing potential of mushrooms, industrial opportunities, mycelium-based products, forest wild mushrooms and industrial applications of white rot fungi. This book addresses the various applications of macrofungi. It encourages readers to explore non-conventional sources of nutrition as well as bioactive metabolites to serve as nutraceuticals. The volume emphasizes the significance of macrofungi as source of bioactive compounds to remedy human lifestyle diseases especially cancers and cardiovascular ailments along with immunostimulation potential by Cordyceps. This book also emphasises on the role of mushrooms as a source of cosmeceuticals, source of flavors, essence, scents and perfumes.

In this book, the authors gather and present topical research in the study of aquatic plants and plant disease. Topics discussed include the diagnosis and treatment of Sharka disease; the biology of the aquatic plant Wolffia arrhiza (Lemnaceae); the bioactive metabolites of plant herbivores and species immunity for preventing infectious diseases in plants, animals and humans.