Vinasse biodegradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Bioremediation
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Background:

• Vinasse, a byproduct of the distillery industry, is a highly colored and recalcitrant wastewater.
• Effective treatment methods are needed to mitigate the environmental impact of vinasse discharge.
• Fungal bioremediation offers a promising approach for degrading complex organic pollutants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in degrading vinasse.
• To compare the effectiveness of vinasse treatment under two different temperature conditions: room temperature (approx. 25°C) and 39°C.

Main Methods:

• Vinasse was treated using Phanerochaete chrysosporium as a liquid inoculum over a 32-day period.
• Experiments were conducted at two distinct temperatures: room temperature (approx. 25°C) and 39°C.
• Key parameters monitored included chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phenol concentration, and color removal.

Main Results:

• At room temperature, P. chrysosporium achieved a reduction of 47.48% in COD, 54.72% in total phenols, and 45.10% in color.
• At 39°C, vinasse degradation was more pronounced, with reductions of 54.21% in COD, 59.41% in total phenols, and 56.81% in color.
• The study demonstrated a significant decrease in all measured parameters under both conditions, with enhanced efficiency at the higher temperature.

Conclusions:

• Phanerochaete chrysosporium is an effective agent for the bioremediation of vinasse.
• Elevated temperatures (39°C) significantly improve the degradation efficiency of vinasse by P. chrysosporium.
• This study highlights the potential of fungal treatment for managing distillery wastewater challenges.