Economic importance of fungi

1. PRESENTED BY
MEENTU PRAKASH
M.sc. Microbiology 1st

2.  Fungi have both positive and negative roles in
our daily life.
 So they are our friends as well as foes
(enemy)
 They are described as below:

3.  Many saprophytic fungi decompose plant and
animal debris and continuously remove it
from the man’s environment.
 During this process they also liberate a large
amount of CO2, which is used by the green
plants for the synthesis of food by
photosynthesis.
 Decomposition of organic wastes also result
in the formation of humus, which is needed
for the growth of plants.
Uses as decomposer’s of
wastes

4.  A symbiotic association of fungi and the roots of higher
plants is called mycorrhiza.
 Literal meaning of mycorrhiza is fungus root.
 There are mainly two kinds of mycorrhizae- ecto & the endo
mycorrhizae.
 in case of ectomycorrhizae, the fungus completely encloses
the rootlets in a sheath. The hyphhae penetrate only between
the cells of root cortex( intercellular).
 In case of endomycorrhizae , the fungus does not form an
external sheath but lives within the cells of the
root(intracellular).
 Mycorrhizal roots generally lack root hairs. This association
helps in the absorption of nutrients.
 The mycorrhizal roots are generally resistant to infection.

5.  There are about 200 species of fungi which are
used as food.
 The most important among them are common field
mushroom (Agaricus compestris), puff balls
(Lycoprdon & Clavatia), morels or guchi (Morchella
esculenta), Catherella cibarius & Boletus edulis is
very high & almost equal to animal protein.
 Though the food content is not high in these edible
fungi, they are rich source of vitamins.
 They are delicious in taste and regarded as
delicacies of the table

6. Morchella esculentaCatherella cibarius

7. LycoprdonBoletus edulis

8. Agaricus compestris

9.  The common mushrooms Agaricus compestris is
cultivated on commercial basis in Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, South India & other states of
India. These are usually grown on compost beds in
mushroom houses.
 Some of the mushrooms are poisonous (Amantia
muscaris, Boletus satanas, Entoloma lividium &
Russula spp).
 They are fatal & cause death if consumed,
therefore, they are popularly called “death cups” or
“destroying angels”.
 The edible species are commonly called
mushrooms whereas poisonous ones are called
toadstools.

11. Entoloma
lividium

13.  The large scale production of yeast cake is called
‘microbial farming’
 These are prepared by mixing a large number of
yeast cells with some inert substances such as,
starch and then compressed to form cakes.
 Yeast cells are rich in protein and hence, the
yeast cakes are eaten directly as health giving
food.
 Yeast cakes are extensively used in baking and
brewing industries.
 They are also used in laboratories to
demonstrate fermentation in sugary solution.

14.  Many strains of fungi produce potential
metabolities which are used as medicines or in the
preperation of medicines. Some metbolic products
used in medicine are-
 Ergot: It is a most useful drug obtained from
sclerotia of Claviceps purpure. The fungus is
parasitic on grasses , especially rye. The disease is
called ‘ergot of rye’.
 The ergot contains alkaloid- ergotinine & many
other substances like- ergotonic acid, cornutine,
spacelotoxin, etc.
 The drug stimulate muscles of uterus & used as
abortitacient to assit child birth.

15.  It is also used to increase blood
pressure, controls uterine
haemorrhage & in many other uterine
disturbances.
 Antibiotics: An organic substance;
produced by a microorganism, which
inhibit or reduce the growth of certain
microorganism is called an antibiotic.

16. ANTIBIOTICS SOURCES USES
Penicillin Penicillium notatum Used against gram+ bacteria.
Clinically it against pneumonia,
rheumatic fever, tonsillites,
tetanus, diptheria & many other
diseases.
Griseofulvin Penicillium griseofulvum Used against mycosis.
Cephalosporin Cephalosporium
acremonium ( a marine
fungus)
Used against Gram+ & Gram –
bacteria; typhoid
Jawaharene Aspergillus spp. Used against small pox,
influenza, leukoderma, etc.
Clavicin Aspergillus clavatus Used against fungal diseses.
Some of the antibiotics obtained from fungi, their sources
& applications are listed below- in table

17.  Fungi are rich source of many
vitamins.
 Vitamins B complex is obtained
from yeasts. Other vitamins
obtained from yeasts & moulds
are – vitamin D, Riboflavin,
Ergosterol, etc.

18.  Fungi are used in many important industries
in the production of varied products.
 Alcoholic fermentation: The common alcoholic
beverages- wine & beer are fermentation
products by the activity of different species of
Saccharomyces.
 Wine is made from juice of grapes or other
fruits by allowing yeast (Saccharomyces
cerevisiae) to induce alcoholic fermentation.
 It contains 10-12 % alcohol

19.  Beer is chiefly made from barley grains. The
starch of grain is first converted to fermentable
sugars, maltose & glucose by the process called
malting.
 It is then fermented by special strains of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The beer contains 3 –
8 % alcohol.
 Other brands such as, whisky, brandy, rum, and
gin are distilled alcoholic beverages.
 Whisky is distilled from fermented mash of
cereals or potatoes & contains upto 50% alcohol.
 Brandy is distilled from wine & contains upto 60 –
70 % alcohol.
 Rum is obtained by distillation of fermented
sugarcane jauice or molasses & contains about
40% alcohol.

20. PRODUCTS SOURCE OR FERMENTING
ORGANISM
USES
Citric acid Penicillium spp &
Aspergillus spp.
Used in flavouring extracts,
confectionery, dyeing,
medicine, soft drinks,
silvering mirrors, etc
Oxalic acid Aspergillus niger Organic acid used in
medicines & many
industries.
Itaconic acid Aspergillus terreus In plastic & glass industries
& jewellery.
Kojic acid Aspergillus oryzae As anticeptic & in
preperation of many
chemicals.

21.  A large no of enzymes such as, protease,
invertase, maltase, catalase, cellulase, amylase,
pectinase, & glucose oxidase are produced by
fungi.
 Maltase & α amylase are obtained from Mucor
rouxii, Rhizopus japonicus & aspergillus niger.
 Glucose oxidase is obtained from Penicillium
chrysogenum.
 Pectinase, protease & catalase are obtained from
Aspergillus niger,
 Invertase is obtained from yeast

22.  . The phytoharmone gibberellic acid is
obtained from the culture of
Gibberella fujikuroi & Fusarium
moniliforme.
 It is used to induce growth and
flowering in plants.

23.  Many soil inhabitant fungi parasites over soil
born pathogen and thus control plant
diseases.
 Trichoderma lignorum & Gliocladium
fimbriayum, found in damp soil, inhibit the
growth of Pythium sp. & control damping off
disease.

24.  1. Spoilage of food : Many mould such as,
Rhizopus, Mucor, Aspergillus, & Penicillium
grow on bread, jams, jellys, etc. & render
them unfit for human consumption
 2. Spoilage of goods : Many household &
commercial goods are attacked & destroyed
by fungi. These include-
Electric goods - Attacked by certain moulds
Clothing -cotton & rayon are attacked by
Aspergillus, Pencillium, Rhizopus, & Mucor

25.  Wool – attacked by Alternaria, Fusarium, &
Penicillium.
 Paper & books- Attacked by Aspergillus
Alternaria, Fusarium, etc.
 Leather & leather goods – Attacked by
Aspergillus & Penicillium niger.
 Rubber – attacked by varios species of
Aspergillus & Penicillium.
 Optical instruments – Destroyed by
Aspergillus & Rhizopus nigricans

26. 3.Destruction of timber wood :Felled timber is
attacked by Polyporus schweinitzzi, which
decays wood & cause great economic loss.
4. Allergic fungi : spores of many moulds
(Rhizopus, Mucor) & fungi imperfectii
(Alternaria & Homodendrum) reach the
throat, lungs & other body parts produce
symptoms of allergy.

27.  Many species of fungi attack
human beings & cause
diseases. Some of the common
diseases are listed below-

28. Name of disease Causal organism Parts of body affected
Dandruff Microsporum furfur Scalp
Dermatomycosis ( ring
worm, barbers itch,
athlete’s foot,
dhobhi’s itch)
Trichophyton spp.
Microsporum spp.
Epidermophyton spp.
Hair follicles, skin,
nails
Cryptococcosis Cryptococcus
neoformans (yeast)
Ussually affects the
brain, less commonly
lungs, subcutaneous
fat & mucous
membrane.
Aspergillosis Aspergillus fumigatus,
Penicillium spp.
Lungs & ear
Mucorosis Mucor mucedo,
Rhizopus nigricans
Lungs & ear
Sporotrichosis (deep
mycosis)
Sporothrix schenekii Throat, Pharynx,
Muscles,

29.  Most of the fungi are parasitic and
cause serious diseases. They attack
cereals, pulses, vegetable & fruit crops
of economic value.
 Some of the diseases caused by fungi
are liste below-

30. Wheat
1. Loose smut of wheat caused by Ustilago tritici
2. Black rust caused by Puccinia graminis
3. Brown rust caused by Puccinia recondita
4. Leaf blight caused by Alternaria triticina
Rice (Paddy)
1. False smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens
2. Bunt caused by Tilletia barelayana
3. Leaf smut caused by Entyloma oryzae
4. Foot rot caused by Fusarium moniliforme
Cauliflower
1. Brown rot caused by Alternaria brassicae
Cabbage
1. White rust caused by Albugo candida

31. Barley
1. Powdery mildew cause by Erysiphe graminis
2. Covered smut caused by Ustilago hordei
3. Foot root caused by Helminthosporium sativum
Sugarcane
1. Red rot caused by Colletotrichum falcatum
Potato
1. Late blight caused by Phytopthora infestans
2. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani
3. Tuber rot caused by Pythium artotrogus

32. Apple
1. Scab caused by Venturia inaequalis
2. Soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer
3. Blue mold rot caused by Penicillium expansum
Grape
1. Downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola
Tomato
1. Late blight caused by Phytopthora infestans
2. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani
Oat
1. Coverd smut caused by ustilago kolleri