A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future
The study of the intersection between biodiversity and biotechnology has revealed a rich source of innovations. Fungi, with their vast range of morphologies and lifestyles, thrive in various habitats, including caves. With impressive metabolic characteristics, they play a key role in producing essen...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/2/145 |
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| author | Renan N. Barbosa Maria Tamara C. Felipe Leticia F. Silva Edna A. Silva Sabrina A. Silva Polyanna N. Herculano José F. S. A. Prazeres Joenny M. S. Lima Jadson D. P. Bezerra Keila A. Moreira Oliane M. C. Magalhães Cristina M. Souza-Motta |
| author_facet | Renan N. Barbosa Maria Tamara C. Felipe Leticia F. Silva Edna A. Silva Sabrina A. Silva Polyanna N. Herculano José F. S. A. Prazeres Joenny M. S. Lima Jadson D. P. Bezerra Keila A. Moreira Oliane M. C. Magalhães Cristina M. Souza-Motta |
| author_sort | Renan N. Barbosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study of the intersection between biodiversity and biotechnology has revealed a rich source of innovations. Fungi, with their vast range of morphologies and lifestyles, thrive in various habitats, including caves. With impressive metabolic characteristics, they play a key role in producing essential biotechnological compounds for various economic sectors. This paper aims to consolidate evidence on the biotechnological potential of fungi isolated from caves, highlighting the urgency of conserving and exploring these ecosystems. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive literature search using scientific databases (SciELO, Medline Complete, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus (Elsevier), and Google Scholar). We adopted an interdisciplinary approach by collecting information from 22 papers published between 2013 and 2024. Based on these data, our survey revealed broad potential, including antimicrobial compounds, antioxidants, antitumor agents, enzymes, and organic acids. We emphasize that accurately identifying and depositing fungal isolates in reference collections are crucial for reliable research and effective industrial applications, driving metabolic bioactivity and the production of substances with the potential to inhibit pathogens. Conserving and protecting the cave environment is imperative, considering its continuous potential for discovery and contribution to scientific advancement. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2783e970fb4746818005fad33508c06e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj-art-2783e970fb4746818005fad33508c06e2025-08-20T02:04:06ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-02-0111214510.3390/jof11020145A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the FutureRenan N. Barbosa0Maria Tamara C. Felipe1Leticia F. Silva2Edna A. Silva3Sabrina A. Silva4Polyanna N. Herculano5José F. S. A. Prazeres6Joenny M. S. Lima7Jadson D. P. Bezerra8Keila A. Moreira9Oliane M. C. Magalhães10Cristina M. Souza-Motta11Departamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilInstituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Goiás, BrazilDepartamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Garanhuns 55292-270, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilDepartamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, BrazilThe study of the intersection between biodiversity and biotechnology has revealed a rich source of innovations. Fungi, with their vast range of morphologies and lifestyles, thrive in various habitats, including caves. With impressive metabolic characteristics, they play a key role in producing essential biotechnological compounds for various economic sectors. This paper aims to consolidate evidence on the biotechnological potential of fungi isolated from caves, highlighting the urgency of conserving and exploring these ecosystems. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive literature search using scientific databases (SciELO, Medline Complete, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus (Elsevier), and Google Scholar). We adopted an interdisciplinary approach by collecting information from 22 papers published between 2013 and 2024. Based on these data, our survey revealed broad potential, including antimicrobial compounds, antioxidants, antitumor agents, enzymes, and organic acids. We emphasize that accurately identifying and depositing fungal isolates in reference collections are crucial for reliable research and effective industrial applications, driving metabolic bioactivity and the production of substances with the potential to inhibit pathogens. Conserving and protecting the cave environment is imperative, considering its continuous potential for discovery and contribution to scientific advancement.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/2/145biotechnological applicationsfungafungal biotechnologyfungal metabolitesspeleomycology |
| spellingShingle | Renan N. Barbosa Maria Tamara C. Felipe Leticia F. Silva Edna A. Silva Sabrina A. Silva Polyanna N. Herculano José F. S. A. Prazeres Joenny M. S. Lima Jadson D. P. Bezerra Keila A. Moreira Oliane M. C. Magalhães Cristina M. Souza-Motta A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future Journal of Fungi biotechnological applications funga fungal biotechnology fungal metabolites speleomycology |
| title | A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future |
| title_full | A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future |
| title_fullStr | A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future |
| title_short | A Review of the Biotechnological Potential of Cave Fungi: A Toolbox for the Future |
| title_sort | review of the biotechnological potential of cave fungi a toolbox for the future |
| topic | biotechnological applications funga fungal biotechnology fungal metabolites speleomycology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/2/145 |
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