German
scientists use fungi to clean soil, water
Fungi get a
bad rap, but they can actually be quite useful. German researchers are
developing new ways of using fungus to clean soil and water.
Fungi have
earned their reputation as a homeowner's nightmare. Once they've settled into
wood and been exposed to moisture, all that's left are brittle remains that
turn into dust at the slightest touch.
Fungi get
their destructive abilities from enzymes that break down lignin, a complex
chemical compound that is largely responsible for holding wood together.
Enzymes in fungi, including the so-called laccase enzyme, are among the few
compounds capable of decomposing lignin.
B tapping
into the power of these enzymes, German scientists are finding new ways to use
fungi to break down toxins, including at sewage treatment plants.