Mycoremediation: a sustainable approach for environmental cleanup - a review

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest threats to humans and wildlife, which is mainly driven by anthropogenic and natural activity. The current study aims on different pollutants and their primary sources and their impact on the environment. Various physical and chemical approaches are applied in the removal of these pollutants, which have their own drawbacks. Mycoremediation is one such approach that utilizes the ability of fungi in the removal of pollutants from the environment. This review focuses on the principal mechanism involved in mycoremediation, processes such as bioaccumulation, biosorption, and enzymatic degradation; mycoremediation can effectively address a wide range of pollutants. The objective of this review is to focus on the potency of fungi in mycoremediation. By harnessing the potential of extracellular lignolytic enzymes, the technique offers various advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, minimum environmental impact, and complementing previous remediation techniques. Additionally, the role of bioinformatics and computational biology in identifying the genes responsible for contaminant degradation is also discussed. In conclusion, mycoremediation represents an ecofriendly approach for addressing environmental pollutants. With ongoing research, its application could expand and contribute to the development of sustainable approaches for environmental restoration.