Applications of myconanoparticles in remediation: Current status and future challenges

Abstract

Increasing population means increased food production and that requires good agricultural practices, which eventually means healthy soil. Restoration of soil health by remediation methods is the answer to the present population rise. Soil remediation by biological means is a sustainable way of achieving soil fertility and increased crop yield. Bioremediation has been used for detoxification of polluted soils and water bodies. Mycoremediation, i.e. bioremediation using fungal cultures, is gaining attention for improvement of soil protection, recovery and the prevention of soil contamination. A further step in making the process of bioremediation more eco-friendly, feasible and economical is by the application of nanotechnology. Nanoparticles prepared using fungal biomasses have shown promising results when applied to environmental contaminants. This chapter focuses on the status and future challenges of myconanoparticles in bioremediation.