Heavy Metal Remediation Using Phosphate-Solubilizing Fungi: From Bioprocess to Application

Heavy metal pollution has been a major environmental issue in recent years, seriously threatening land, water sources, agriculture, and human health. The remediation of heavy metal pollution has been a continuously vital issue for current research. Bioremediation is an effective and cost-efficient approach to reduce heavy metal toxicity. Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) have shown promise in heavy metal bioremediation due to their high tolerance and activity levels. However, the full potential of PSF in bioremediation needs further exploration. PSF activity, metabolite production, and environmental conditions can influence their efficiency in remediating heavy metals. These factors play a critical role in the practical application of PSF and necessitate improvement pathways. This article reviews potential strategies to enhance heavy metal remediation using PSF and optimizing bioprocesses and applications.