Utilizing Mycofiltration for the Remediation of the Environment: A Sustainable Approach to Environmental Cleanup

AbstractTo respond to the growing threat of environmental pollution, sustainable remediation strategiesare critical. Among biological methods, mycoremediation is the use of fungi to detoxifypollutants that has gained attention for its ecological compatibility. A focused approach withinthis field, mycofiltration, utilizes fungal mycelial networks to filter, absorb, and degradecontaminants in soil and water. Mycofiltration employs diverse fungal groups, includingsaprophytic, endophytic, mycorrhizal, and parasitic fungi, each offering distinct functionaltraits. Core mechanisms enabling the removal of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistentorganic pollutants. Organisms such as Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus niger effectivelyaccumulate heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, while white-rot fungi like Trametesversicolor produce oxidative enzymes that decompose complex organic pollutants. Despite itspotential, large-scale implementation requires standardization of fungal strains, substrates, andsystem design, alongside long-term field validation. Future research should integratemycofiltration with other biotechnologies and explore enzyme optimization and geneticenhancement for improved efficacy.