Mycolyse

Saprotrophic soil fungi beloning to the order Mortierallales within the subphylum Mucoromycotina. This group of fungi grow on the root structures of plants and survive by using metabolic excretions to digest decaying organic matter such as leaf litter. The dynamic metabolic activities of Mortierella spp has gained notoriety for their propensity to degrade rigid organic structures such as those found in chitin and hemicellulose.

This fungus has been described as an opportunistic yeast causing infections in immunocompromised people. The fungus has been shown to cause septicaemia (bacterial poisoning of blood) and is resistant to anti-fungal medications. Although C.fabianii was once thought to be rare, recent comparisons made to similar strains using PCR testing have shown the presence of this fungi is largely underestimated owing to misidentification. While the reputation of C.fabianii rests heavily on its virulence, its lesser known occupation lies in remediation, where it is employed in the removal of chromium from contaminated sites in Mexico

The genus Trichoderma belongs to the division Ascomycota and the order Hypocreales. Species from this genus are recognised as biocontrol agents, producing antimicrobial secondary metabolites in order to protect plants from pathogens. Trichoderma have a rich assortment of enzymes enabling their adaptability to substrates, including those that are highly polluted. The aptly-developed Trichoderma produce multicopper laccases, ring-cleavage dioxygenases, and peroxidases, equipping them with a keen arsenal to survive and prosper in industrially contaminated environments.