White-Rot Fungi-Based Bioprocessing for Circular Bioeconomy & Valorization of Lignocellulosic Waste

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Mukesh Chander,

  1. Assistant Professor & Dean Research, Bioprocess Laboratory, P.G. Department of BioTechnology, Khalsa College (Autonomous), Amritsar, Punjab, India

Abstract

The escalating global demand for sustainable resource management and the imperative to reduce dependence on fossil-based products have positioned the circular bioeconomy as a transformative paradigm for the 21st century. Lignocellulosic biomass, generated abundantly as agricultural and forestry residues, constitutes one of the most underexploited renewable carbon sources on Earth, yet its recalcitrant structure, interlinking cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, has long impeded its efficient valorization. White-rot fungi (WRF), predominantly belonging to Basidiomycota, have emerged as the most versatile biological agents for lignocellulose deconstruction owing to their unique and powerful oxidative enzymatic arsenal, including lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), versatile peroxidase (VP), and laccase. This review comprehensively synthesizes findings from the scientific literature published in the recent past, examining the taxonomy and ecology of key WRF species, the molecular mechanisms underlying their ligninolytic systems, solid-state and submerged fermentation strategies for bioprocessing, and their diverse industrial applications spanning biofuel production, enzymatic biorefining, animal feed enrichment, bioremediation of textile effluents and xenobiotics, and the recovery of high-value bioactive compounds. The review further addresses critical challenges, including slow fungal growth rates, cellulose co-degradation, and scale-up limitations, while discussing emerging frontiers such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, synthetic fungal consortia, and omics-driven metabolic engineering. The integration of WRF-based bioprocessing into circular bioeconomy frameworks is assessed in terms of life cycle sustainability, techno- economic feasibility, and policy alignment. This synthesis aims to serve as a foundational reference for researchers, biotechnologists, and policymakers seeking to harness the full biotechnological potential of white-rot fungi for sustainable waste valorization.

Keywords: Biofuels, Biorefinery, Bioremediation, Circular bioeconomy, Lignocellulosic waste, Ligninolytic enzymes, Solid-state fermentation, White-rot fungi

How to cite this article:
Mukesh Chander. White-Rot Fungi-Based Bioprocessing for Circular Bioeconomy & Valorization of Lignocellulosic Waste. International Journal of Fungi. 2026; 03(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Mukesh Chander. White-Rot Fungi-Based Bioprocessing for Circular Bioeconomy & Valorization of Lignocellulosic Waste. International Journal of Fungi. 2026; 03(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijf/article=2026/view=250188


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
02
Received 05/06/2026
Accepted 01/07/2026
Published 09/07/2026
Publication Time 34 Days
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