ABSTRACT
The white rot fungi, taxonomically representing the phylum Basidiomycotina, are distributed among four orders (Polyporales, Agaricales, Russulales, and Hymenochaetales) in the class Agaricomycetes and 14 families (Polyporaceae, Ganodermataceae, Meruliaceae, Phanerochataceae, Grifolaceae, Meripiliaceae, Pleurotaceae, Inocybaceae, Marasmiaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Tricholomataceae, Physalacriaceae, Hymenochateceae and Steraceae). They are the major source of biotechnologically important ligninolytic enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases (lignin peroxidase, mangenese peroxidase, and versatile peroxidase), which possess powerful oxidative capacity with broad substrate specificity useful in industrial applications. White rot fungal enzymes are useful in the paper industry, textile industry, nanotechnology, bioremediation of industrial wastes and degradation of xenobiotics. Production of enzymes and recent developments, with reference to industrial applications of white rot fungal enzymes, have been comprehensively dealt with illustrations and literature background. Up to 90 per cent of the wood rot fungi signify the necessity of future efforts towards development of ecofriendly industrial technologies considering the impotance of conservation of environment.
