Economic Importance of Fungi
Economic importance includes useful as well as harmful aspects of the fungi. The graph represents outline of the economic importance of the fungi. Outline of the Economic Importance of Fungi Advantages of Fungi 1. Primary agents of Decay Biomass production in forest is controlled by wood rotting fungi. If fungi (and bacteria) were not present, there would be heaps of dead organic matter on face of Earth. Fungi are able to digest cellulose and lignin (major components of plant cell walls) to simpler organic matter. For example, Ganoderma and Armillaria . 2. Medicinal Purposes Fungi are important source of antibiotics (= against bacteria). For example, Penicillin is extracted from Penicillium chrysogenum . Cephaloporins are antibiotics extracted from Cephalosporium acremonium . Ganoderma lucidum and Fomitopsis officinalis are used in herbal medicines since ancient times. 3. Used as Food Many mushrooms have been grown since ancient times to use as food. These can be easily grown on w...