ABSTRACT
In fungi, the externally digested food and consequent need to acquire micronutrients through the body surface has necessitated hyphal surface expansion and structural simplicity. In its turn, it has required the (i) adaptation of the cell wall at structural and functional levels, (ii) extracellular release and vesicular transport and release of large molecular proteases through the body surface to the exterior and (iii) These enzymes comprise an array of cellulases, hemicellulases, ligninperoxidases, lacasses, proteases and lipases. Of 106,761 fungi, only 121 species (0.12%) belonging to 7, 12, 18 and 84 Neocallimastigomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota and Ascomycota excrete the enzymes to meet the sustained demand by industries. Of them, 51, 49, 21 species are known to produce amylases, proteases and lipases. Interestingly, Rhizopus oryzae actively secrete thermostable enzymes at 60°C, while others like Aspergillus niger and Engyodontium album do it at pH 3.0 and 11.0, respectively. The benefits arising from these fungi total to US$ 1,000 billion . To provide an idea of the magnitude of the global fungus market, the country-wise number of companies and their products are listed.
