The fungal kingdom consists of a wide variety of organisms with a diverse range of forms and functions. Fungi have been utilized for thousands of years and their importance in agriculture, medicine, food production and the environmental sciences is well known. New advances in genomic and metabolomic technologies have allowed further developments in the use of fungi in industry and medicine, increasing the need for a compilation of new applications, developments and technologies across the mycological field. Applied Mycology brings together a range of contributions, highlighting the diverse nature of current research. Chapters include discussions of fungal associations in the environment, agriculture and forestry, long established and novel applications of fungi in fermentation, the use of fungi in the pharmaceutical industry, the growing recognition of fungal infections, current interests in the use fungal enzymes in biotechnology and the new and emerging field of myconanotechnology. Demonstrating the broad coverage and importance of mycological research, this book will be of interest to researchers and students in all biological sciences.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this book focuses on recent milestones in basic and applied mycology, focusing on many and diverse applications in the agricultural, food, and biofuel sectors. Applied Mycology for Agriculture and Foods: Industrial Applications provides an informative update of the current biological status of fungi and advances in conventional and modern molecular tools in identification, taxonomy of fungi, and applications of different taxonomic groups of fungi in various sectors, such as agriculture, food development, postharvesting, biological control of crop diseases, biofertilizers, bioremediation, pigments, pharmaceuticals, enzymes, biofuel production, etc. The volume addresses fungal biodiversity conservation, the emerging field of fungal metagenomics, the role of fungi in eco-safety and warfare, and the bioprospecting of fungi for hydrocarbons for biofuel production. Several chapters discuss using fungi in agricultural management, such as for the biocontrol of plant diseases, using entomopathogenic fungi as a pesticide, using nematophagous fungi for controlling nematodes that eat crops, using fungi in the development of biofertilizers, and more. The role of fungi in post-harvest diseases management in horticultural crops is looked at as well. Key features: Provides up-to-date information and advances in biological status and classification of fungi Discusses the comprehensive role of fungi in various sectors, in food and agriculture, in biofuel production, in the production of production of antibiotics or antimicrobial agents, etc. Presents the recent systemic taxonomic classifications, developments, applications in molecular mycology and conservation strategies for mycoflora Aiming to bridge the knowledge gap between basic and applied aspects of mycology, this volume provides a wealth of information that will be valuable for researchers, industrial scientists, faculty and students in mycology and plant pathology as well as in botany, microbiology, food microbiology, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology and biofuel production, and other professional disciplines.

Contributions from 80 world-renowned authorities representing a broad international background lend Fungal Biotechnology in Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Applicationsfirst-class information on the biotechnological potential of entomopathogenic fungi and ergot alkaloids, applications of Trichoderma in disease control, and the development of mycoherbicides. Additional topics include fungal control of nematodes, control of plant disease by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, strategies for controlling vegetable and fruit crops, molecular biology tactics with mycotoxigenic fungi and the development of biofungicides, production of edible fungi, fermented foods, and high-value products like mycoprotein.

Presenting a stimulating synthesis of rapidly growing research interests and publications by scholars in the field of applied mycology and biotechnology.The surge of research and development activity in applied mycology and fungal biotechnology relates to the need and utility of fungi in many contexts. These contexts are wide in scope, and include agriculture, animal and plant health, biotransformation of organic or inorganic matter, food safety, composition of nutrients and micronutrients, and human and animal infectious disease.Containing a balanced treatment of principles, biotechnological manipulations and applications of major groups of fungi in agriculture and food, this book will serve as a practical resource for mycologists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, bioengineers, scientists from agri-food industry, biochemists, botanists and agriculturists.

"Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this book focuses on recent milestones in basic and applied mycology, focusing on many and diverse applications in the agricultural, food, and biofuel sectors. Applied Mycology for Agriculture and Foods: Industrial Applications provides an informative update of the current biological status of fungi and advances in conventional and modern molecular tools in identification, taxonomy of fungi, and applications of different taxonomic groups of fungi in various sectors, such as agriculture, food development, postharvesting, biological control of crop diseases, biofertilizers, bioremediation, pigments, pharmaceuticals, enzymes, biofuel production, etc. The volume addresses fungal biodiversity conservation, the emerging field of fungal metagenomics, the role of fungi in eco-safety and warfare, and the bioprospecting of fungi for hydrocarbons for biofuel production. Several chapters discuss using fungi in agricultural management, such as for the biocontrol of plant diseases, using entomopathogenic fungi as a pesticide, using nematophagous fungi for controlling nematodes that eat crops, using fungi in the development of biofertilizers, and more. The role of fungi in post-harvest diseases management in horticultural crops is looked at as well. Aiming to bridge the knowledge gap between basic and applied aspects of mycology, this volume provides a wealth of information that will be valuable for researchers, industrial scientists, faculty and students in mycology and plant pathology as well as in botany, microbiology, food microbiology, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology and biofuel production, and other professional disciplines"--

Research in the genomics of a handful of fungi has matured at an unprecedented rate allowing comprehensive review. Developments in fungal genomics should be of great significance to new strategies in fields where disciplinary crossovers of fungal genomics, genes and their regulation, expression, and engineering will have a strong impact in dealing with agriculture, foods, natural resources, life sciences, biotechnology, informatics, metabolomics, pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. This volume analyzes the commonly used molecular markers systems, and elaborates the development of biochemical genetics, which provides a model system that established the relationship between genes and enzymes. Current knowledge about the genomic and genetic variability of Candida albicans, the polymorphic fungus that is an opportunistic human pathogen of increasing medical importance, has been covered in detail. Current understanding of the genetics and functional genomic analysis of the most important fungal pathogens of staple food crops, rice and wheat among others is covered including chapters dealing with the genomics of economically important fungi such asMagnaporthe grisea, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhizoctonia, Mycosphaerella graminicola, and entomopathogenic fungi. With several thousand recent citations, it is hoped that volume four will serve as a useful reference for knowledgeable veterans and beginners as well as those crossing disciplinary boundaries into the exciting field of biotechnology, genomics and bioinformatics of fungi.

Mushroom Biotechnology: Developments and Applications is a comprehensive book to provide a better understanding of the main interactions between biological, chemical and physical factors directly involved in biotechnological procedures of using mushrooms as bioremediation tools, high nutritive food sources, and as biological helpers in healing serious diseases of the human body. The book points out the latest research results and original approaches to the use of edible and medicinal mushrooms as efficient bio-instruments to reduce the environment and food crises. This is a valuable scientific resource to any researcher, professional, and student interested in the fields of mushroom biotechnology, bioengineering, bioremediation, biochemistry, eco-toxicology, environmental engineering, food engineering, mycology, pharmacists, and more. - Includes both theoretical and practical tools to apply mushroom biotechnology to further research and improve value added products - Presents innovative biotechnological procedures applied for growing and developing many species of edible and medicinal mushrooms by using high-tech devices - Reveals the newest applications of mushroom biotechnology to produce organic food and therapeutic products, to biologically control the pathogens of agricultural crops, and to remove or mitigate the harmful consequences of quantitative expansion and qualitative diversification of hazardous contaminants in natural environment