Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs exhibiting absorptive nutrition. They survive in a multitude of ecological niches as
saprotrophs, parasites and mutualistic symbionts. Vested with such unique mode of nutrition and life styles, the fungi are one
of the more suitable organisms for technological use. Fungi are used in the industrial production of enzymes, vitamins,
polyhydric alcohols, pigments, and lipids and pharmaceuticals [1]. Fungi are also used in biotransformation and as platforms
to produce novel pharmaceutical and other industrially important compounds. As biological control agents, fungi could be
employed in plant disease management and to enhance crop performance. A recent estimate envisages that there are 2.2 to 3.8
million species of fungi but hardly 8 % are known to science [2]. The anticipation that many of these unknown fungi would
house novel genes for technological exploitation underscores the need to explore fungi for biotechnology more assiduously. In
this context, it is expected that tropical countries such as India with their diverse habitats would support a high diversity of
fungi [3]. This special issue of CBIOT is dedicated to Fungal Biotechnology in India and has collated articles addressing a few
of the many aspects of fungal biotechnology currently being studied in India.
In the first article, Pathak and Bhardwaj [4] review the suitability of fungal enzymes for recycling paper waste. After
alluding to the conventional deinking process of printed papers, they proceed to review the enzymatic deinking procedures and
parameters affecting them, the efficiency of fungal enzymes in deinking, and the advantages and limitations of using enzymes
in recycling paper waste. Endophytic fungi constitute a part of the plant microbiome and reside inside plant tissues without
inciting any apparent disease. Owing to their ability to produce metabolites exhibiting several desirable bioactivities, the
endophytes have been the focus of bioprospecting exercise in the last two decades. The review by Bedi et al., [5] is about the
novel anticancer compounds produced by endophytic fungi associated with terrestrial plants and lichens. These natural
compounds are described based on their cytotoxic activity profiles, chemical nature and potential structure–activity relationship
inferred from biochemical and cytotoxic studies. Additionally, it is envisaged that entomopathogenic fungi which survive as
endophytes could be used for biological control of crop pests. Suryanarayanan et al., [6] report that non-entomogenous
endophytes producing anti-insect compounds and isolated from non-plant sources can be inoculated into crops to function as
endophytes for brief periods. They show that insect pests avoid crops harbouring anti-insect endophytes for oviposition and
feeding. Furthermore, they demonstrate that some endophytes produce weedicidal compounds. Yeasts are gaining importance
as producers of food flavours owing to their metabolic diversity and amenability to strain modifications and process
optimizations. The review by Ranjitha and Oberoi [7] covers various aspects of food flavour production by yeasts. Fungal
chitin and chitosans, due to their properties such as non toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, have a wide range of
uses including in pharmaceutical and food industries, biological control of parasites and waste water treatment. Razak et al.,
[8] review the potential biomedical and industrial applications of these fungal biopolymers. Ectomycorrhizal fungi maintain
metal homeostasis by producing intracellular chelators like metallothioneins and glutathione. Khullar and Reddy [9] review the
information on this aspect and underscore the potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi in bioremediation of heavy metal
contaminated soil. Inulinases are hydrolysing enzymes which are generally used for the production of high fructose syrup and
fructooligosaccharides. Fungal inulinases exhibit variations in their physical and chemical characteristics which could be
suitable for technological exploitation. The article by Singh and Chauhan [10] on fungal inulinases addresses various issues
including the production, purification, characterization and applications of these enzymes.
In conclusion, the articles in this special issue cover a wide range of fungal biotechnology, most of which need to be
addressed more assiduously to enhance the use of fungi in technology.
