Economic importance of Fungi

Economic importance of Fungi
Fungi play an important role in economy.It exhibits both beneficial and harmful effects in our daily life which are important economically.Beneficial roles of fungi are as following:-
1.Fungi as decomposing agent
Fungi play an important role as decomposing agent along with bacteria.They are responsible for the decomposing of organic material causing decay of dead plants and animals and form the humus.It also involve in the recycling of nutritional elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, iron, calcium released which then utilized by green plants because these elements are essential for the growth of plants.Carbon dioxide also released to the atmosphere during decomposition which is used by the plants in photosynthesis.

1. Industrial use
   Fungi play important role in various industrial processes such as:-
   The yeasts are taken from fungi which used in baking and brewing industries.
   Some species of fungi also used in manufacture of certain types of cheese.
   Another industrial use of the fungi is in the manufacture of citric acid, soft drinks,formic acid and lactic acid.
2. Source of antibiotics
   Fungi also play a very important and vital in the production of antibiotics.For example penicillin and grisoflavin, in the production of vitamins such as riboflavin, and of various important drugs such as ergotamine and cortisone.
3. Fungi as food
   Fungi also a great source of food.The mushroom has a great importance as a food material because it is rich source of protein and vitamins and their excellent flavour.But some mushroom are deadly poisonous and cause death .Therefore, one should be careful in selecting mushroom.
4. Source of enzymes, hormones and vitamins
   Many species of fungi are good source of enzymes like amylase and invertase.Similarly fungi are an important source of hormones such as Gibberella fujikuroi is a plant hormone.
   Vitamins also taken from fungi.
5. Fungi as research
   Fungi used as research tool in the study of fundamental biological processes because it show a faster rate of growth and large number of generations can be grown in a limited time period.
   Red bread mold Neurospora has proved an ideal organism for the study of laws of inheritance, genetic make up.The slime mold also used for research.
6. Fungi as symbionts
   Fungi also exhibit a symbiotic relationship with green plants.These are main partner of lichens, an association between fungi and algae.These infect of many higher plants to form a symbiotic relation that helps in absorption and retention of moisture.
7. Source of insecticides
   Many fungi play an important role in the elimination of various dreadful disease like malaria.They attack a number of insects that are harmful to crop and in such way play important role in the betterment of economy.
   Harmful aspects of fungi
   Fungi also has many harmful aspects.The fungi also destructive to plants and animals by causing diseases.Fungi also cause diseases in humans.
   If the food is not properly stored are attached and spoiled by fungi.Fungi also involved in the production of toxins that destroy the plasma membrane of the liver cells and also cause intestine and kidney diseases.Fungi cause wood rotting.