Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Insights into Fungal Behaviour, Mechanisms, and Applications
- 1st Edition - February 1, 2027
- Latest edition
- Editors: Adesh Kumar, Hina Upadhyay, Arindam Chakraborty, Ajar Nath Yadav
- Language: English
Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation: Insights into Fungal Behaviour, Mechanisms, and Applications offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary overview of fungi’s dual roles i… Read more
Description
Description
Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation: Insights into Fungal Behaviour, Mechanisms, and Applications offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary overview of fungi’s dual roles in environmental processes and material deterioration. Fungi are Earth's main recyclers, capable of breaking down complex substances like lignin, plastics, and pollutants. However, they also cause biodeterioration of food, artworks, textiles, and infrastructure, posing challenges across industries and conservation efforts. This book bridges molecular mechanisms with practical applications, providing researchers, conservators, and industry professionals with essential knowledge on how fungi interact with materials, pollutants, and microbial communities. It covers foundational topics such as fungal biology, enzymatic pathways, and colonization processes. The volume explores fungi’s role in degrading natural and synthetic polymers, petroleum products, and environmental contaminants, supported by case studies on cultural heritage preservation, bioremediation, and industrial waste management. Cutting-edge omics, enzyme engineering, and scalable biotech solutions are highlighted, along with future directions in fungal biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation equips professionals with scientific insights and practical strategies to harness fungi’s power for environmental cleanup, sustainable industry practices, and cultural conservation.
Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation equips professionals with scientific insights and practical strategies to harness fungi’s power for environmental cleanup, sustainable industry practices, and cultural conservation.
Key features
Key features
- Provides comprehensive understanding of fungal roles in biodegradation and biodeterioration processes
- Highlights molecular mechanisms, enzyme functions, and pathways for practical applications
- Explores fungal interactions with natural and synthetic materials, aiding conservation and waste management
- Features case studies in cultural heritage preservation, bioremediation, and industrial biodegradation
- Emphasizes advanced technologies like omics and genetic engineering for future innovations
Readership
Readership
Graduate students (M.Sc./Ph.D.), postdoctoral researchers, and academic faculty in Mycology, Environmental Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, and Conservation Science
Table of contents
Table of contents
Section I: Introduction to Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
1. Biodeterioration and biodegradation processes by fungal communities: Introduction
2. Ancient Mycobiomes: The role of fossil fungi in understanding biodegradation through geological time
3. Importance of biodeterioration and biodegradation in various industries and natural ecosystems
Section II: Mechanisms and Metabolism in Fungal Biodeterioration
4. Basic fungal biology: structure and classification in reference to biodegradation
5. Fungal metabolic pathways in biodegradation: The role of enzymes in organic matter decomposition
6. Fungal growth and colonization on various substrates
7. Formation of fungal biofilm and its impact
8. Cellular interactions and degradation pathways
Section III: Fungi in the Degradation of Synthetic and Natural Polymers
9. Fungal degradation of lignocellulosic materials: Enzymes involved in breaking down cellulose and lignin
10. Fungal degradation of wood, plant fibers, and natural resins
11. Potential role of Fungi on synthetic polymer degradation
12. Fungal involvement in the breakdown of petroleum products
Section IV: Fungal Involvement in Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage
13. Fungal growth on art, manuscripts, and textiles: Case studies on fungal impact
14. Indoor Cultural Heritage: Museums, Historic Houses, and Archives
15. Biodeterioration Risk, Assessment, and Conservation Prioritization
Section V: Fungi in Environmental Degradation: Soil, Water, and Air
16. Fungal degradation of environmental pollutants
17. Mycoremediation and bioremediation in contaminated soils
18. Fungal contributions to water and air quality management
Section VI: Industrial Applications of Fungi in Biodegradation
19. Role of fungi in waste management and biocomposting
20. Bioreactors and fungal processes in industrial biodegradation
21. Fungal applications in the recycling industry
Section VII: Fungal Biodeterioration in the Food Industry
22. Fungal biodeterioration of food products: Mechanisms and impacts
23. Fungal biodeterioration across major food commodities
24. Mycotoxins and their health implications: Control measures and the roles
25. Global Case Studies of Mycotoxin Contamination
Section VIII: Advanced Tools and Emerging Technologies
26. Molecular and Omics Approaches to Fungal Degradation Pathways
27. Assaying Methods for Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Section IX: Future Directions in Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
28. Advances in fungal biotechnology for biodegradation: Genetic engineering aspects
29. Unveiling the Hidden Strategies of Fungi in Biodeterioration and Biodegradation: Conclusion
1. Biodeterioration and biodegradation processes by fungal communities: Introduction
2. Ancient Mycobiomes: The role of fossil fungi in understanding biodegradation through geological time
3. Importance of biodeterioration and biodegradation in various industries and natural ecosystems
Section II: Mechanisms and Metabolism in Fungal Biodeterioration
4. Basic fungal biology: structure and classification in reference to biodegradation
5. Fungal metabolic pathways in biodegradation: The role of enzymes in organic matter decomposition
6. Fungal growth and colonization on various substrates
7. Formation of fungal biofilm and its impact
8. Cellular interactions and degradation pathways
Section III: Fungi in the Degradation of Synthetic and Natural Polymers
9. Fungal degradation of lignocellulosic materials: Enzymes involved in breaking down cellulose and lignin
10. Fungal degradation of wood, plant fibers, and natural resins
11. Potential role of Fungi on synthetic polymer degradation
12. Fungal involvement in the breakdown of petroleum products
Section IV: Fungal Involvement in Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage
13. Fungal growth on art, manuscripts, and textiles: Case studies on fungal impact
14. Indoor Cultural Heritage: Museums, Historic Houses, and Archives
15. Biodeterioration Risk, Assessment, and Conservation Prioritization
Section V: Fungi in Environmental Degradation: Soil, Water, and Air
16. Fungal degradation of environmental pollutants
17. Mycoremediation and bioremediation in contaminated soils
18. Fungal contributions to water and air quality management
Section VI: Industrial Applications of Fungi in Biodegradation
19. Role of fungi in waste management and biocomposting
20. Bioreactors and fungal processes in industrial biodegradation
21. Fungal applications in the recycling industry
Section VII: Fungal Biodeterioration in the Food Industry
22. Fungal biodeterioration of food products: Mechanisms and impacts
23. Fungal biodeterioration across major food commodities
24. Mycotoxins and their health implications: Control measures and the roles
25. Global Case Studies of Mycotoxin Contamination
Section VIII: Advanced Tools and Emerging Technologies
26. Molecular and Omics Approaches to Fungal Degradation Pathways
27. Assaying Methods for Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Section IX: Future Directions in Fungal Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
28. Advances in fungal biotechnology for biodegradation: Genetic engineering aspects
29. Unveiling the Hidden Strategies of Fungi in Biodeterioration and Biodegradation: Conclusion
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: February 1, 2027
- Language: English
About the editors
About the editors
AK
Adesh Kumar
Dr. Adesh Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Agriculture) from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (India). His research focuses on fungal pathology, mycology, biological control, and fungal decomposition. He has published 50+ research papers, authored 6 books, contributed 10+ book chapters, and holds 20+ patents. He is a Recipient of Young Scientist Award (2018), Excellence in Research Award (2018), and Excellence in Innovation Award (2025). Dr Kumar is a life time member of the Indian Phytopathological Society and Indian Science Congress Association.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, IndiaHU
Hina Upadhyay
Dr Hina has 22 years of teaching and research experience in the field of Mycology, Agricultural microbiology, Plant sciences, waste management, Biodeterioration and biodegradation, cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable agriculture. She obtained his doctorate degree in Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, M.P, India, on the topic Biodeteriorating components with reference to fungi inside library environment. She is a Fellow of the Indian Botanical Society and Society of Bionaturalists, and a Life Member of the Indian Microbiological Society and Indian Science Congress Association. She has published 52+ research papers. Authored 7 books and holds 10+ Patents. She has been serving as reviewer for different national and international peer-reviewed journals. Awarded the Young Scientist Award (MP Council of science and Technology,1998) and Best Teacher Award by Bharat Vikas Parishad, INDIA.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, IndiaAC
Arindam Chakraborty
Dr Chakraborty holds a Ph.D. in Marine Micropaleontology (Birbal Sahni Institute/University of Burdwan) and has conducted postdoctoral research in paleoclimate and isotope geochemistry (Academia Sinica, Taiwan). While his core expertise lies in paleoenvironmental reconstruction, his work on organic microfossil preservation and degradation in sedimentary systems intersects with microbial decomposition processes. He brings strong interdisciplinary coordination skills and an international research network (UK, Germany, Taiwan, etc.). With an H-index of 7 and awards including the Newton Bhabha Fellowship and DSTINSPIRE Fellowship, he ensures rigorous scientific integration.
Affiliations and expertise
Senior Lecture, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAY
Ajar Nath Yadav
Dr. Ajar Nath Yadav is an Assistant Professor (Sr. Scale) and Assistant Controller of Examinations at Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, in India. He has eight years of teaching and 12 years of research experience in the field of microbial biotechnology, microbial diversity, and plant-microbe interactions. Dr. Yadav has published three books with Elsevier, five books with Taylor & Francis, one book with Wiley, and 21 books with Springer-Nature. Dr. Yadav has published 123 research communications in different international and national conferences, and obtained 12 Best Paper Presentation Awards, and a Young Scientist Award (NASI-Swarna Jyanti Purskar). He has been serving as an editorial board member and reviewer for 35 different national and international peer-reviewed journals. He has lifetime membership in the Association of Microbiologist in India, and Indian Science Congress Council.
Affiliations and expertise
Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, KSG Akal College of Basic Sciences, Eternal University, Himachal Pradesh, India