Exploring micromycetes biodiversity for screening benzo[a]pyrene degrading potential

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Bioremediation
• Mycology

Background:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are persistent environmental pollutants.
• Filamentous fungi possess diverse metabolic capabilities for degrading complex organic compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) degradation potential of various filamentous fungal strains.
• To identify reliable criteria for selecting fungal isolates with high BaP degradation efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five fungal strains from 14 species were screened for BaP degradation in liquid mineral medium.
• Biomass growth on hexadecane and glucose, BaP solubilization, peroxidase activity, and polyethylene glycol degradation were assessed.

Main Results:

• Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Paecilomyces lilacinus, and Verticillium insectorum showed significant BaP degradation within 7 days.
• Fungal growth on hexadecane/glucose and polyethylene glycol degradation correlated well with BaP degradation capability.

Conclusions:

• Specific filamentous fungi demonstrate promising potential for benzo[a]pyrene bioremediation.
• Fungal growth on specific carbon sources and polyethylene glycol degradation serve as effective selection markers for potent BaP degraders.