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Engineering Strategies for Fungal Cell Disruption in Biotechnological Applications

Summary

Fungal cells have tough, protective walls that make it difficult to extract valuable products like proteins, oils, and medicines. This review examines different techniques—from physical methods like grinding with beads to chemical and enzyme-based approaches—to break open fungal cells efficiently. By understanding which method works best for different types of fungi and desired products, researchers can develop better, more sustainable ways to use fungi in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, food products, and other valuable compounds.

Background

Fungal cells possess robust and highly structured cell walls composed of chitin, β-glucans, and glycoproteins, making them significantly more challenging to disrupt than bacterial or algal cells. Efficient cell disruption is critical for unlocking high-value intracellular products such as lipids, proteins, pigments, and bioactive compounds from diverse fungal species used in biotechnology.

Objective

This review comprehensively explores mechanical and non-mechanical methods for fungal cell disruption, emphasizing the engineering and process factors that influence their performance. The review aims to provide guidance for optimizing fungal bioproduct extraction in ways that are technically sound, economically viable, and environmentally responsible.

Results

The review demonstrates that disruption efficiency varies significantly based on fungal species, cell morphology, and method selection. Mechanical methods like bead milling and HPH are scalable and effective for tough cell walls, while enzymatic methods offer milder, greener alternatives. Emerging hybrid and integrated approaches, combined with pre-treatment strategies, show promise for improved outcomes.

Conclusion

Optimal fungal cell disruption requires careful selection of methods tailored to specific fungal species, cell morphology, and downstream processing requirements. Hybrid approaches combining multiple techniques offer enhanced efficiency and sustainability, supporting the development of more efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible fungal-based biomanufacturing aligned with circular bioeconomy goals.
  • Published in:Engineering in Life Sciences,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 41341960
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