The book provides an introduction to the basics of fungi, discussing various types ranging from edible mushrooms to Neurospora - a model system for genetics and epigenetics. After addressing the classification and biodiversity of fungi, and fungi in different ecological niches, it describes the latest applications of fungi, their role in sustainable environments and in alleviating stress in plants, as well as their role in causing plant and animal diseases. Further chapters explore the advances in fungal interactions research and their implications for various systems, and discuss plant-pathogen interactions. The book also features a section on bioprospecting, and is an extremely interesting and informative read for anybody involved in the field of mycology, microbiology and biotechnology teaching and research.

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.

The book is comprised of more than a dozen chapters on fungi from different substrates including fossilized leaves. It discusses association of fungi occurring on important plants, some animals, and saprophytic substrates. Besides the taxonomic information, some ecological aspects like distribution and substrate/host preferences are discussed. The book also reviews the myxomycete.

Cultivation of Prized Mushrooms by Different Methods Cultivation of Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms Bioactive Compounds of Agaricus blazei Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Cultivated Macrofungi Photoactive Pigments from Mushrooms Pigments from Spalting Mushrooms Applications of Mycelium-Based Composites, Mycoleather, Packaging and Construction Fungi-Derived Composite Nanopapers Mushroom Nutrition as Preventative Healthcare Biotechnology of Termitomyces Biotechnology of Cordyceps militaris Biofertilizer Potential of Ectomycorrhizae Bioproducts for Controlling Parasitic Nematodes Nutraceutical Potential of Wild Mushrooms

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.

The book is comprised of more than a dozen chapters on fungi from different substrates including fossilized leaves. It discusses association of fungi occurring on important plants, some animals, and saprophytic substrates. Besides the taxonomic information, some ecological aspects like distribution and substrate/host preferences are discussed. The book also reviews the myxomycete.

Advances in Macrofungi: Diversity, Ecology and Biotechnology discusses the diversity and ecology of edible, toxic, medicinal and mycorrhizal macrofungi; the impact of ectomycorrhizal fungi in terrestrial ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal complex in Boreal forests and commercial application of Pseudotsuga in silviculture; the nutritional evaluation and cultivation of edible wild mushrooms; the diversity of novel metabolites of macrofungi useful in food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries; mushrooms as tool for eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles and proteomics of edible and medicinal mushrooms. In addition, it covers experimental designs, methodological approaches, biogeochemical cycles, conceptual/hypothetical models and life history strategies, linking mycorrhizal diversity to plant performance, chemotaxonomy, role of mycorrhizae in forestry and macrofungi in nanotechnology. It provides a valuable resource to graduate, post-graduate and researchers (in botany, microbiology, ecology, biotechnology, forestry, life sciences and environmental sciences) to understand the diversity, ecology, therapeutic value, mutualistic associations and biotechnological potential of macrofungi.

Advances in Macrofungi: Diversity, Ecology and Biotechnology discusses the diversity and ecology of edible, toxic, medicinal and mycorrhizal macrofungi; the impact of ectomycorrhizal fungi in terrestrial ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal complex in Boreal forests and commercial application of Pseudotsuga in silviculture; the nutritional evaluation and cultivation of edible wild mushrooms; the diversity of novel metabolites of macrofungi useful in food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries; mushrooms as tool for eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles and proteomics of edible and medicinal mushrooms. In addition, it covers experimental designs, methodological approaches, biogeochemical cycles, conceptual/hypothetical models and life history strategies, linking mycorrhizal diversity to plant performance, chemotaxonomy, role of mycorrhizae in forestry and macrofungi in nanotechnology. It provides a valuable resource to graduate, post-graduate and researchers (in botany, microbiology, ecology, biotechnology, forestry, life sciences and environmental sciences) to understand the diversity, ecology, therapeutic value, mutualistic associations and biotechnological potential of macrofungi.

Indian mycologists have extensively studied various groups of fungi such as soil fungi, aquatic fungi, marine fungi, endophytic fungi, fungi associated with man and animals. Though several books on various aspects of fungi are published, this is the first account of the history and developments in mycology in India. It discusses at length various stages of development of mycology including both classical and biotechnological aspects. It begins with a historical account of Indian mycology, followed by a description of research on fossil fungi. Further chapters cover the latest updates on different taxonomic groups of fungi. A dedicated section describes the roles and applications of fungal endophytes. The book also includes research in other important areas such as mushrooms and wood rotting fungi. Different chapters are written by leading mycologists. This book is useful to students, teachers and researchers in botany, microbiology, biotechnology and life sciences, agriculture and industries using fungi to produce various valuable products.

Indian mycologists have extensively studied various groups of fungi such as soil fungi, aquatic fungi, marine fungi, endophytic fungi, fungi associated with man and animals. Though several books on various aspects of fungi are published, this is the first account of the history and developments in mycology in India. It discusses at length various stages of development of mycology including both classical and biotechnological aspects. It begins with a historical account of Indian mycology, followed by a description of research on fossil fungi. Further chapters cover the latest updates on different taxonomic groups of fungi. A dedicated section describes the roles and applications of fungal endophytes. The book also includes research in other important areas such as mushrooms and wood rotting fungi. Different chapters are written by leading mycologists. This book is useful to students, teachers and researchers in botany, microbiology, biotechnology and life sciences, agriculture and industries using fungi to produce various valuable products.

The book provides an introduction to the basics of fungi, discussing various types ranging from edible mushrooms to Neurospora - a model system for genetics and epigenetics. After addressing the classification and biodiversity of fungi, and fungi in different ecological niches, it describes the latest applications of fungi, their role in sustainable environments and in alleviating stress in plants, as well as their role in causing plant and animal diseases. Further chapters explore the advances in fungal interactions research and their implications for various systems, and discuss plant-pathogen interactions. The book also features a section on bioprospecting, and is an extremely interesting and informative read for anybody involved in the field of mycology, microbiology and biotechnology teaching and research.