Fungal Biotechnology: Exploring the Potential of Solid State Fermentation for Sustainable Production

Dear Colleagues,

The world is facing several issues such as population growth, climate change, and environmental pollution, which have led to the development of sustainable technologies that efficiently use resources to create a circular supply chain. Fungal Solid State Fermentation (SSF) processes are among these technologies, and they have gained significant relevance due to their wide range of waste resource exploitation, from agri- and forestry- to marine- biomasses, highlighting a vast and diversified product obtainment that can be used for different purposes. SSF is an attractive process for addressing the challenges of resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. It offers a range of benefits, including reduced water usage, low-cost substrate utilization, high energy efficiency, enhanced productivity, bioprocess optimization, scale-up potential, and integration with other processes.

SSF is a suitable technology for producing profitable products tailored to various industries such as food (acidifiers, preservatives, pigments, organic acids, mycoprotein, etc.), pharmaceuticals (antioxidants, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anticancer, etc.), cosmetics (pigments, hyaluronic acid, etc.), textile (pigments, bleaches, dyes), environmental (bioremediation agents, biocontrol), fuel (bioethanol, biogas), and crop (biostimulants) industries as well as biomaterial development (myco-foam, lather, packaging, and bioplastics), and also for achieving a bio-based-platform for the production of diverse high-value organic compounds (lactic and citric acids).

This Special Issue is intended to showcase the latest research and development in the field, uncover new opportunities, and further enhance the potential of SSF. SSF has the potential to serve as an innovative and multi-purpose approach for waste resource management, pollution mitigation, and the production of high-value-added products. This can help us move closer to achieving a circular economy model.

Dr. Lilia Arely Prado-Barragán
Dr. Ricardo Gómez-García
Guest Editors

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