Industrial and environmental applications of white-rot fungi

White-rot-fungi (WRF) are the only organisms able to degrade the whole wood components (i.e. lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose). This ability is due to the secretion of extracellular nonspecific ligninolytic enzymes during their secondary metabolism usually triggered by nutrient exhaustion. The non-specificity of these enzymes enables them to transform a great variety of recalcitrant and hazardous pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, fuels, alkanes, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), explosives and synthetic dyes. In addition, their extracellular nature allows WRF to access non-polar and insoluble compounds. This makes WRF very appealing for their application to different industrial and biotechnological processes. Also, new potential commercial products and processes from the fungal treatment of lignocellulosic materials may arise. The implementation of such applications would contribute to the establishment of a more sustainable industry and the development of a circular economy.