Fungal biotechnology for air-pollution mitigation: Mechanistic pathways, engineered systems and exposure-centered...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Air Quality Management

Background:

• Air pollution involves complex mixtures of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM₂.₅), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), causing significant health issues.
• Conventional filtration systems effectively remove particulate mass but struggle with chemically reactive pollutants in indoor environments.
• High-burden regions like the Indo-Gangetic Plain face severe health impacts from air pollution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review fungal biotechnology as a complementary strategy for mitigating chemically reactive air pollutants.
• To explore the mechanisms by which fungi interact with and transform various air contaminants.
• To assess the potential and limitations of fungal-based air remediation technologies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on fungal biology and engineered remediation systems.
• Analysis of laboratory and pilot-scale studies on mycofilters, immobilized-enzyme reactors, and fungal composites.
• Evaluation of fungal cell-wall components (chitin-glucan-melanin) and extracellular enzymes (oxidoreductases).

Main Results:

• Fungal extracellular oxidoreductases can transform aromatic VOCs and PAHs.
• Cell-wall polymers immobilize toxicants like heavy metals and soot.
• Porous mycelial structures aid in particulate interception and pollutant-surface interaction.
• Studies show potential for partial reduction of reactive pollutants using fungal systems.

Conclusions:

• Fungal biotechnology presents a promising, mechanistically informed approach to address chemically reactive air pollutants.
• It complements conventional filtration by targeting pollutants missed by capture-based systems.
• Further research is needed on enzymatic stability, biosafety, and long-term field validation.