MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Advanced Fungal Biotechnologies in Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): What Do We Know and What Comes Next?

Summary

Fungi are remarkable organisms with tremendous untapped potential for solving global challenges. They can be engineered to produce life-saving medicines like antibiotics and cholesterol-lowering drugs, create nutritious food alternatives, clean up polluted environments, and help fight climate change. As we transition to more sustainable living practices, fungi represent a natural solution that has been used for centuries but is only now being fully appreciated through modern biotechnology.

Background

Fungi represent an integral component of biodiversity with 2.2 to 3.8 million estimated species, yet the vast majority remain unexplored. Fungal biotechnologies have evolved from citric acid production in 1919 to commercial applications in pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals. Microbes demonstrate remarkable potential to adapt to climate variations and promote environmental sustainability while addressing socio-economic challenges.

Objective

To review advances in fungal biotechnologies and their potential to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through bio-based economy development. The paper examines how fungal resources can address global challenges including food security, healthcare, climate change, and environmental remediation.

Results

The review identified fungal contributions across multiple SDG areas: pharmaceutical metabolites including antibiotics and immunosuppressants, food security through nutritional fungal products and alternatives, bioremediation of environmental contaminants, biofuel production, and mycorrhizal associations supporting agriculture. Advanced genome editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 enable optimization of metabolite production and creation of designer fungal cell factories.

Conclusion

Fungal biotechnologies offer transformative solutions for transitioning from petroleum-based to bio-based economies and achieving multiple SDGs. Comprehensive exploration of fungal biodiversity combined with advanced biotechnological tools, omics approaches, and sustainable cultivation methods are essential to unlock fungal potential for sustainable development and global health.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof10070506, PMID: 39057391
Scroll to Top