Mycoremediation of Synthetic and Xenobiotic Compounds

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The speedy rate of industrialization, metropolitanization, and rising population are leading to the contamination of the environment and an increase in health issues. A variety of anthropogenic polymers are introduced into the soil in numerous ways. These compounds may be hazardous chemicals, polythene, pesticides, plastics, etc. Accumulation of these synthetic pollutants in the surroundings causes severe illness and can also lead to an ecological threat. Alternative strategies to combat these ever-growing issues have been inaugurated and executed from the microbiological aspect. Myco-remediation is the implementation of fungus or its metabolic derivatives for the detoxification of environmental contaminants. This technology is eco-friendly, more efficient, and very economical. It is a natural technology for the degradation of synthetic polymers. It has additional benefits over other conventional methods. In this chapter, we have highlighted the negative effects of common contaminants on health and the environment and also summarized the contribution of several fungi and enzymes that are able to degrade a variety of widely used synthetic plastics such as agricultural, pharmaceutical wastes, heavy metals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. The chapter also explains the strategies which can be used as a future framework to remove or solve the global problem of pollution.