Fungi are among the important microorganisms that perform important functions that may not be obvious but are critical in facilitating biological processes.
These eukaryotic creatures are closely related to animals and closely related to plants in terms of their characteristic distribution.
- Mushrooms are osmotic – they can absorb food
- They have a characteristic hypha at the tip that looks for food
- They consist of nucleated cells containing chromosomes
- They are heterotrophs and cannot digest their food.
- Reproduction by spores (Fungi).
While we often think of mushrooms as food spoilage, they contribute significantly to the economy. Mushrooms are widely used in industry in various processes and processes.
Economic Importance Of Fungi
Fungi are an important organism in human health. They play an important role in medicine by producing antibiotics, in agriculture by maintaining soil fertility, they are used as food, and they are the backbone of many industries We look at some of the areas where mushrooms are really important.
Parasites are bacteria that cause disease in animals. Thus they help control many pests. These worms do not infect plants and animals. They are particularly attacked by certain insects. The larva of Beauveria bassiana is an insecticide being tested to control the spread of the emerald ash borer.
These bacteria, together with bacteria, recycle these substances by decomposing plant and animal waste materials in the soil, so recycling enriches the soil to make it more fertile Without fungal activity, this ongoing process can be negatively affected by the continued addition and accumulation of dirt . .
Importance in Medicine
Mushroom transformation is of great commercial importance.
Antibiotics are substances produced by fungi that are useful in the treatment of diseases caused by pathogens. Antibiotics produced by actinomycetes and molds inhibit the growth of other bacteria.
In addition to treating diseases, antibiotics are also used fed to animals for faster growth and improved meat quality. Antibiotics are used to preserve freshly prepared meat for long periods of time.
Penicillin is a widely used antibiotic that kills microorganisms to survive. The reason for its widespread use is that it has no effect on human cells but kills Gram-positive bacteria.
Streptomycin is another antibiotic of great medical importance. It is more powerful than penicillin because it destroys non-gram-negative organisms.
Crop-dissolved fungicides are used to control yeast and bacterial growth and treat plant diseases.
Administration of griseofulvin allows it to be absorbed by keratinized tissues and is used to treat fungal skin infections (pulse insects).
Ergot is used in medicine and veterinary medicine. It is also used to control bleeding after childbirth.
LSD – Lysergic acid, derived from ergot, is used in psychotherapy.
Eating clavate mushrooms prevents stomach cancer.
Importance in Agriculture
Fungal plant metabolism is essential for crop productivity. Fungal activity in agricultural soils contributes about 70% of plant growth.
Fungi are important in the humus production process because they cause decomposition of plant and animal material.
They are successively used in biological pest control. Plant pests are used as pesticides to control pests. For example, Empausa sepulchralis and Cordyceps melonhae. Environmental risks can be greatly reduced by the use of fungicides.
Mushrooms are also used in agricultural research. Certain species of fungi are used to detect and produce enzymes for certain elements such as copper and arsenic in soil. For example, biological and genetic studies of the fungus Neurospora led to the concept of One Gene One Enzyme.
Fungi live in a symbiotic relationship with plant roots known as mycorrhizae. These are essential to increase the productivity of agricultural land. 80-90% of trees could not survive without a fungal partner in the root system.
Importance in Food Industry
Some mushrooms are used in food processing, while others are eaten directly. For example, mushrooms, which are high in protein and minerals and low in fat.
Mushrooms are a foundation in the culinary and wine industry. They cause the fermentation of sugars during winemaking by an enzyme called zymase, which is used to make wine.
Carbon dioxide- a product of this process, used in the form of dry ice and in the baking industry to make dough (rising and clear flour).
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important component of bread, which has been a staple of human food for several decades. Also known as bread yeast.
