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Removal of PCBs by various white rot fungi in liquid cultures
C Novotný1, B R Vyas, P Erbanová
1Laboratory of Experimental Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague.
Abstract:
The ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trametes versicolor, Coriolopsis polyzona, and Pleurotus ostreatus growing in a mitogen-limited mineral medium (NMM) to degrade PCBs in a commercial, Delor 106 mixture at a concentration of 0.9 ppm was compared. The respective amount of PCBs removed from the fungal cultures within 3 weeks were 25, 50, 41 and 0%. The capacities of the individual fungal species to remove PCBs correlated to some extent with their capabilities of decolorization of NMM agar containing both Poly R-478 or Remazol Brilliant Blue R dyes. Enzyme estimations indicated that both high and relatively stable activities of Mn-dependent peroxidase, Mn-independent peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase characterized efficient PCB degraders.
Insights
This study compared four fungi for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) degradation. Trametes versicolor showed the highest PCB removal efficiency, linked to its ligninolytic enzyme activities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Mycology
Background:
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with significant environmental and health concerns.
- Bioremediation using white-rot fungi offers a promising strategy for degrading recalcitrant pollutants like PCBs.
- Understanding the degradation capabilities of different fungal species is crucial for effective bioremediation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficiency of four white-rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trametes versicolor, Coriolopsis polyzona, and Pleurotus ostreatus) in degrading PCBs.
- To investigate the correlation between PCB degradation, dye decolorization, and ligninolytic enzyme activities.
- To identify key enzymes involved in the fungal degradation of PCBs.
Main Methods:
- Fungal cultures of P. chrysosporium, T. versicolor, C. polyzona, and P. ostreatus were grown in a mineral medium (NMM).
- The fungi were exposed to a commercial PCB mixture (Delor 106) at 0.9 ppm for 3 weeks.
- PCB degradation was quantified, and fungal decolorization of Poly R-478 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R dyes was assessed.
- Activities of key ligninolytic enzymes (Mn-dependent peroxidase, Mn-independent peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, laccase) were measured.
Main Results:
- Trametes versicolor exhibited the highest PCB removal rate (50%), followed by Coriolopsis polyzona (41%) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (25%). Pleurotus ostreatus showed no significant PCB degradation (0%).
- PCB degradation efficiency correlated with the fungi's ability to decolorize azo dyes (Poly R-478 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R).
- Efficient PCB degraders displayed high and stable activities of Mn-dependent peroxidase, Mn-independent peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase.
Conclusions:
- Trametes versicolor is a highly effective fungus for degrading PCBs in the tested mixture.
- Ligninolytic enzyme activities, particularly high and stable levels of peroxidases and laccase, are key indicators of efficient PCB degradation by fungi.
- Fungal dye decolorization capacity can serve as a predictive indicator for PCB degradation potential.