Economic importance of fungi

1. Chapter 8
Economic Importance of Fungi

2. fermentation
recycling nutrients/decomposition
Mycorrhizea
As food-directly/ cheese, cakes
As Medicine: penicilline, ergotamine an ergot alkaloid that causes
constriction of blood vessels and is used to treat migraine.
As biological control-feed pests-Entomophthora music -kill insect
For scientific study
Toxic effects, destroy food fabrics, leather, and other goods
Plant disease
 Some are human parasites (e.g., causing ringworm, athlete's
foot).
 Some produce substances that are highly toxic and
carcinogenic to animals (e.g., aflatoxin)

3. • Fungi perform an essential role
• decomposition of organic matter and have fundamental roles in nutrient cycling
and exchange.
• used as a direct source of food, such as mushrooms
• fermentation of various food products, such as wine, beer, and soy sauce.
• used for the production of antibiotics,
• various enzymes produced by fungi are used industrially and in detergents.
• Fungi are also used as biological pesticides to control weeds, plant diseases and
insect pests.
• Fungi can break down manufactured materials and buildings,
• become significant pathogens of humans and other animals.
• Losses of crops due to fungal diseases (e.g. rice blast disease) or food spoilage
can have a large impact on human food supplies and local economies.