The researchers from the Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Science reviewed 50 ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology.

Due to the wide range of habitats that fungi inhabit, and the consequent need to compete against other fungi, bacteria and animals, fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms, the paper read.

Moreover, fungi can be easily grown with large scale production.

Fungi can also push forward plastic biodegradation and ecological restoration.

Their unique attributes hold great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry, according to the paper.

Fungi have been used in penicillin, lovastatin, and other significant medicines. Consumers increasingly prefer natural compounds over synthetic chemicals, even in industrial sectors that produce commodity chemicals.

The study stated that the application of fungi needs to be explored since it is a highly promising source of anti-infectives, immunosuppressants and other medicines.

(Editor:YANG Mei)