ABSTRACT
Thermophilic molds are the major microflora in heaped masses of plant materials, piles of agricultural and forestry residues and other organic materials, where warm, humid, and aerobic environment provides the basic conditions for their growth and development. The ability of these molds to degrade organic matter efficiently, produce an array of useful enzymes, antibiotics and nutritionally enriched feeds and their suitability as agents in bioconversions makes them nature-borne biotechnologists. Their enzymes are also useful in the treatment of industrial wastes and effluents that are rich in oil, heavy metals, anti-nutritional factors (e.g. phytic acid) and other polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, chitin, pectin). The phytases hydrolyze phytates, and therefore, aid in combating environmental phosphorus pollution. Thermophilic molds also play an important role in mushroom composting. Their ability to produce glucose, xylose and mannose by the hydrolysis of agro-residues and their fermentation to ethanol is a major venture in the field of biotechnology. This chapter aims at focusing attention on these activities of thermophilic molds which play an important role in the management of the environment.
