Harmful Effects Of Fungi On Human Life

These fungi present a common threat to both agricultural production and the health of healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
What are the harmful or beneficial effects of fungi on the human body?
The effect of fungi on human life may be harmful or beneficial.
1. Harmful Fungi:
(i) They cause diseases in important crops, e.g., late blight of potato (Phytophthora infestans), black stem rust of wheat (Puccinia graminis), brown spot of rice (Helminthosporium oryzae), etc.
(ii) They induce animal and human diseases, e.g., mycosis caused by infestation of Aspergillus, Cercospora and Cryptococcus.
(iii) They also spoil fruits, vegetables and all kinds of foodstuff.
Beneficial Fungi
Industrial Use:
Fungi form the most useful basis in industries like, baking and brewing (Saccharomyces), preparation of cheese (Penicillium) and commercial production of citric acid (Aspergillus niger).
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Antibiotics:
Wonder drug, penicillin, is an antibiotic extracted from fungus Penicillium notatum.
Alkaloids:
Fungus, Claviceps pupurea, con¬tains a number of alkaloids which are utilized in medicine and useful in controlling haemorrhage during child birth.
Used as Food:
Fungi like mushrooms, mo¬rels and truffles are used as food.
Soil-fertility:
Majority of known fungi along with bacteria live on dead organic matters, decompose them performing a very useful service in returning to the soil the nutrients.
Fungi imperfecti (Deuteromycetes) :
Members of the fungi imperfecti lack a sexual