# Cold-Adapted Fungi: Goldmine of Biomolecules Applicable in Industry
## 4 Biotechnological Application of Psychrophilic Fungi in Food and Agriculture
### Ice-Binding Proteins
AFP proteins are already employed in the commercial production of ice cream and yogurt to enhance their texture. However, these are recombinant proteins derived from fish (AFP type III) [108; 109]. Furthermore, the incorporation of AFP proteins has been demonstrated to enhance the quality of frozen dough for bread baking by improving its softness, preserving loaf volume, and promoting the survival of baker's yeast. Additionally, the use of AFP proteins has been shown to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables that are challenging to freeze, as well as extend the storage duration of meat and fish. This results in less drip loss and protein loss in meat, and improved juiciness [54]. INP proteins, conversely, have the potential to reduce energy expenditure in freezing processes, such as those employed in the freezing of food products [108]. Moreover, specific IBPs have also been used as biosensors in food [110]. In the field of agriculture, one of the most persistent challenges is the loss of crops due to frost damage. Climate change has led to an increase in the occurrence of frosts and snowstorms during periods when they would typically not occur, thereby further intensifying this problem. Among the numerous threats to global food security, frost has a considerable impact on the productivity and yield of agricultural crops [107]. Furthermore, low temperatures restrict agriculture in polar regions and at high altitudes. Genetically modified crops with IBPs are currently being developed to boost agricultural productivity. Studies have demonstrated that transgenic plants transformed with AFP proteins exhibit enhanced resistance to temperatures as low as \(-20\)\({}^{\circ}\)C [107; 111]. The implementation of genetic modifications with IBPs in plants susceptible to frost damage will facilitate the expansion of the geographical range of breeding programs, while simultaneously enhancing the nutritional value and post-harvest quality of the resulting produce [111]. Furthermore, these proteins have the potential to function as distinctive biological insecticides and herbicides, eradicating pests through the process of frostbite. Microbial ice-binding proteins can minimize costs, and are simple to use, non-toxic, and eco-friendly [112]. Microbial ice-binding structures that nucleate ice crystals are a cheap, sustainable, and energy-efficient preservation technology [112]. The majority of research conducted to date on the potential applications of AFPs has focused on proteins derived from higher eukaryotes or bacteria. However, fungi have been relatively understudied, even though they produce a multitude of proteins that could be more easily obtained through heterologous expression systems than the proteins currently in use. Figure 4: Potential application of IBPs proteins in food and agriculture. In 2023, the global market value of AFP proteins was estimated at USD 10.4 billion, with projections indicating a growth trajectory reaching USD 72.66 billion by 2031. An increasing demand for solutions for the storage and transportation of cold-sensitive products across a diverse range of industrial and commercial applications on a global scale drives this market expansion [98].