Biotechnological Applications of Mushrooms Under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Crucial Aspects and Prospects from Farm to Pharmacy

The document reviews the biotechnological applications of mushrooms, emphasizing their potential in supporting global food, energy, and water security. Mushrooms are identified as a source of healthy food and bioenergy due to their high nutritional value and medicinal attributes. They play a role in bioconversion, biorefining, bioremediation, and biodegradation. The production of eco-friendly nanoparticles by mushrooms has applications in water purification, energy production, and food security. Mushrooms are also used for bioremediation, especially in degrading organic pollutants. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) can be used as a feedstock for biofuel production, addressing waste management in the mushroom industry. Mushrooms contain pharmaceutical and nutritional compounds with therapeutic attributes, including preventing human hair loss due to androgenic alopecia. Despite potential allergic reactions and health threats from toxins in poisonous mushrooms, these toxins can be used for biological research. The cultivation of mushrooms requires less water and energy than most crops, making them a sustainable farming choice. The document concludes that mushrooms are a valuable resource that needs further investigation, particularly in the fields of food, water, and energy.