Effects of fungal bioaugmentation and cyclodextrin amendment on fluorene degradation in soil slurry

This study assesses the potential of fungal bioaugmentation and the effect of maltosyl-cyclodextrin amendment, as an approach to accelerate fluorene biodegradation in soil slurries. 47 fungal strains isolated from a contaminated site were tested in the biodegradation of fluorene. Results showed the greater efficiency of "adaptated" fungi isolated from contaminated soil vs. reference strains belonging to the collection of the laboratory. These assays allowed us to select the most efficient strain, Absidia cylindrospora, which was used in a bioaugmentation process. In the presence of Absidia cylindrospora, more than 90% of the fluorene was removed in 288 h while 576 h were necessary in the absence of fungal bioaugmentation. Maltosyl-cyclodextrin, a branched-cyclodextrin was chosen in order to optimize fluorene bioavailability and biodegradation in soil slurries. The results of this study indicate that Absidia cylindrospora and maltosyl-cyclodextrin could be used successfully in bioremediation systems.