Decolorization and bioremediation of molasses wastewater by white-rot fungi in a semi-solid-state condition

Molasses wastewater (vinasse; the by-product of distillation of fermented sugar) was decolorized and its chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced in static cultivation using the fungi Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus pulmonarius ('Pleurotus sajorcaju'). The effect of cotton stalk on decolorizing and COD removing capability of four fungi was determined. In the entire concentration range tested (10-30%), wastewater was effectively decolorized by C. versicolor and F. trogii. Cotton stalk addition stimulated the decolorization activity of all fungi. The utilization of cotton stalk represents several advantages due to its function as an attachment place and as a source of nutrients; its use also reduces process costs.     

Degradation of styrene by white-rot fungi

Degradation of styrene in the gaseous phase was investigated for white-rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus (two strains), Trametes versicolor, Bjerkandera adusta and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Fungi were grown in liquid culture and the gas/mycelium contact surface was enhanced with the help of perlite. The influence of various inducers on styrene degradation was studied. The best inducers for styrene degradation were lignosulphonate for P. ostreatus and T. versicolor and wood meal for B. adusta and P. chrysosoporium. Under these conditions all fungi were able to degrade styrene almost completely in 48 h at a concentration of 44 μmol/250 ml total culture volume; one strain of P. ostreatus was able to remove 88 μmol styrene under these conditions. Three transformation products of [¹⁴C]styrene in cultures of P. ostreatus were identified: phenyl-1,2-ethanediol, 2-phenylethanol and benzoic acid; 4% of the styrene was metabolised to CO₂ in 24 h and no other volatile products were found. Received: 16 July 1996 / Received revision: 23 September 1996 / Accepted: 29 September 1996     

Degradation of acrylic copolymers by white-rot fungi

Various water-soluble homopolymers and copolymers of acrylamide (AAm) and acrylic acid (AA) which contained phenolic sites, such as guaiacol, lignin sulfonate (LS) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA), were tested with regard to their degradability by white-rot fungi. Compared with Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus caused a significantly higher decrease in the average molecular weight (_w) of most of the copolymers and the homopolymer under the applied culture conditions. However, the _w of poly(guaiacol/AAm) increased significantly during incubation with Pl ostreatus. P. chrysosporium was able to reduce only the _w of the poly(LS/AA) to a significant degree and not that of the other polymers. The mineralization rate of AAm and AA copolymers and terpolymers of AAm, AA and phenolics (LS, 3,4-DHBA, guiacol), which were tested with P. ostreatus and Trametes versicolor, turned out to be low (0.8–3.2%). While the rates of mineralization were similar among all polymers, the decrease in radioactivity from the culture media was higher with the terpolymers bearing phenolic sites. UV spectra of the culture media revealed that the phenolic sites in the terpolymers were significantly degraded by both fungi. Obviously, the degradation of phenolics within the polymer chain caused a higher decrease in _w but did not significantly increase the mineralization rate.     

Decolorization of Orange II dye by white-rot fungi

Agitation, temperature, inoculum size, initial pH and pH of buffered medium affected the decolorization of Orange II dye byCoriolus versicolor andFunalia trogii. The optimum temperature and initial pH value for decolorization were 30°C and 6.5–7.0, respectively; pH 4.5 was the most efficient in buffered cultures. High decolorization extents were reached at all agitation rates. At an inoculum size of more than 1 mL, the extent of decolorization changed only slightly. High extents were obtained using immobilized fungi at repeated-batch mode.     

Biodecolourisation of some industrial dyes by white-rot fungi

Eight white-rot fungal strains were screened for biodecolourisation of eight dyes commercially employed in various industries. Decolourisation of Poly R 478 was used as a standard to ascertain the dye-decolourisation potential of various fungi. All the fungi tested significantly decolourised Poly R 478 on solid agar medium. When tested in a nitrogen-limited broth medium, Dichomitus squalens, Irpex flavus, Phlebia spp. and Polyporus sanguineus were better industrial dye decolourisers than Phanerochaete chrysosporium.     

Elimination and detoxification of softwood extractives by white-rot fungi

The ability of several white-rot fungal strains to remove and detoxify acetone extractives (pitch or resin) in Scots pine sapwood was investigated in stationary laboratory batch assays. Fungal pretreatment provided up to 62% total pitch reduction and significant decreases in pitch toxicity. The best strains were Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55, Stereum hirsutum and Trametes versicolor that eliminated over 93% of the problematic triglyceride fraction and 58–87% of other lipophilic extractive classes in only 2 weeks. Fungal removal of the wood extractives was accompanied by a 7.4–16.9-fold decrease in their inhibitory effect, as determined in the Microtox bioassay. Wood pretreatment by Bjerkandera sp. and T. versicolor caused limited losses of woody mass (less than 4% in 4 weeks); whereas S. hirsutum led to somewhat higher mass losses (7% in 4 weeks). These results indicate the potential of white rot fungi to control pitch deposition problems in pulping and to reduce the aquatic toxicity caused by naturally-occurring lipophilic extractives in forest industry effluents.     

Heterogeneous production of laccase by mycelium of white-rot fungi

Mycelium of white-rot fungi secretes laccase into the medium. It was found by cultivation on malt-agar plates that the mycelium does not produce laccase equally in all its parts. The youngest hyphae at the margins of the colony represent usually the maximum producers, whereas older hyphae produce less or none at all. An exception here isCollybia velutipes which is the weakest producer of laccase of all the fungi studied and where only the older hyphae begin to secrete it. Manometric estimation of laccase showed that maximum specific activity of laccase is achieved at the boundary between the phases of initial and linear growth and i₁₁ some cases during the first half of linear growth. Ageing of the mycelium characterized by certain changes in its metabolism is reflected in changes of enzyme production by fungal hypha of different age.     

白腐真菌的木质素降解酶

简述了白腐真菌木质素降解酶的概念、催化反应机理及在纸浆的生物漂白和染料脱色中的应用。     

Degradation of sugar cane bagasse by several white-rot fungi

Forty-two white-rot fungi isolated in South America were incubated with long fibre sugar cane bagasse (LFB). The residual composition of LFB was determined after white-rot decay at 30 and 60 days. The ratio of residual lignin to residual lignin to residual cellulose (RL/RC) of untreated material (LFB) was 0.48. After white-rot-decay, the residual material with lower RL/RC ratios indicated that mainly lignin was degraded. In only 30 days, Phlebia sp. MVHC 5535, Athelia sp. MVHC 5509 and Spongipellis pachyodon MVHC 5019 caused a decrease in the RL/RC ratio to 0.36, 0.37 and 0.38, respectively, while it took 60 days for Ganoderma applanatum MVHC 5347, Hyphodontia sp. MVHC 5544, Panus tigrinus MVHC 5400, Stereum sp. MVHC 5113, Phellinus punctatus MVHC 5346 and MVHC 6388 to reach a ratio lower than 0.40. No correlation was found between the amount of some ligninolytic enzymes secreted and the residual composition of bagasse after white-rot fungi fermentation. Most of the fungal strains caused an increase in the relative amount of residual cellulose, indicating that hemicellulose was the preferred energy source.     

Ligninolytic properties of different white-rot fungi

Summary Seven white-rot fungi were examined for the production of ligninase, manganese peroxidase and laccase. All these enzymes were found inTrametes gibbosa andTrametes hirsuta. Only manganese peroxidase and laccase were produced byPycnoporus cinnabarinus,Coriolopsis polyzona,Stereum hirsutum,Dichomitus squalens andGanoderma valesiacum. All fungi decolorized Poly B-411 and Indulin AT plates with low-N medium. The differences in enzyme pattern indicate that different species of fungi may employ different modes of lignin metabolism.     

Decolorization of chemically different dyes by white-rot fungi in submerged cultures

Forty-two white-rot fungi in submerged cultures were tested to determine their dye decolorization capacity and the optimal conditions for the decolorization process. Trametes pubescens Cui 7571 was found to be the most effective strain in terms of decolorization performance on the azo dye Congo Red, and it exhibited excellent reusability as well as persistence in sequential decolorization experiments. Optimization of the decoloration process was also conducted to evaluate the effects of a number of chemical compounds, metal salts, inducers, and mediators on the dye decolorization rate. On the seventh day, a highest dye removal of 98.83 % was observed with addition of copper at 2.5 mmol L^?1, Tween 80 at 1.0 % (v/v), and ferulic acid at 0.50 μmol L^?1, respectively. The adsorption of mycelia to dyes was not a significant contributor to dye removal, and decolorization by the functional fungus T. pubescens depended on biodegradation by enzymes, as evidenced by the results of the moist heat sterilization treatment (121°C for 20 min), induction of extracellular enzymes, and scanning electron microscopy. Four dye degradation metabolites, i.e., naphthalene amine, biphenyl amine, biphenyl ,and naphthalene diazonium, were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The phytotoxicity tests indicated that degraded metabolites had almost a negligible effect on the plant seeds as compared to that of dye, which is indicative of the less toxic nature of the metabolites. Our results suggest that white-rot fungus T. pubescens could be developed into a novel azo dye bioremediation strategy.     

Formulation of filamentous fungi for bioremediation

Mycelia of Marasmiellus troyanus embedded in calcium alginate granules with corn cob grits as a nutritive amendment were viable after one year with refrigeration but inviable when stored at room temperature. With refrigeration, Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelia and spores embedded in alginate were both viable after one year. At room temperature, spores encapsulated in alginate granules gave good viability while mycelial formulations did not. In all trials, corn cob grits was superior to saw dust for extending shelf life. Corn cob grits-amended granules of both species were able to germinate and grow in both uncontaminated soil and chemical waste-contaminated soil. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

The effectiveness of biological treatment of wheat straw by white-rot fungi

Out of 13 species ofBasidiomycetes growing on wheat straw, 9 species enhanced thein vitro dry matter digestibility of the substrate. The detergent fiber content (acid and neutral) of the substrate was significantly reduced by most of the fungi tested. Hemicellulose showed the largest proportionate loss, whereas lignin the smallest one.     

Monitoring of white-rot fungus during bioremediation of polychlorinated dioxin-contaminated fly ash

Bioremediation is a low-cost treatment alternative for the cleanup of polychlorinated-dioxin-contaminated soils and fly ash when pollution spread is wide-ranging. An interesting fungus, Ceriporia sp. MZ-340, with a high ability to degrade dioxin, was isolated from white rotten wood of a broadleaf tree from Kyushu Island in Japan. We have attempted to use the fungus for bioremediation of polychlorinated-dioxin-contaminated soil on site. However, we have to consider that this trial has the potential problem of introducing a biohazard to a natural ecosystem if this organism is naturalized. We have therefore developed a monitoring system for the introduced fungus as a part of the examination and evaluation of bioremediation in our laboratory. We have also developed a PCR-based assay to reliably detect the fungus at the bioremediation site. DNA isolated from the site was amplified by PCR using a specific primer derived from internal transcribed spacer region (ITS: ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2) sequences of Ceriporia sp. MZ-340. We successfully monitored Ceriporia sp. MZ-340 down to 100 fg/µl DNA and down to 2 mg/g mycelium. We also successfully monitored the fungus specifically at the bioremediation site. The polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran content was observed to decrease in response to treatment with the fungus. The species-specific PCR technique developed in the present work is useful in evaluating the possibility of on-site bioremediation using the fungus Ceriporia sp. MZ-340.     

Comparison of ligninolytic activities of selected white-rot fungi

Summary Six fast growing ligninolytic white-rot fungi were compared with Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The results showed that the fungi have similar ligninolytic systems, although minor differences exist. Like in P. chrysosporium the ligninolytic system could be induced by veratryl alcohol in Coriolus versicolor and Chrysosporium pruinosum. These three lignin peroxidase producing fungi were the fastest lignin degraders in stationary cultures, whereas in agitated cultures Bjerkandera adusta showed highest lignin degradation rates. Metabolites accumulating during the degradation of veratryl alcohol were analyzed and compared. Peroxidase production seems to be a common feature of all the tested fungi. Polyclonal antibodies against the lignin peroxidase with pl of 4.65 from P. chrysosporium reacted with the extracellular peroxidases of C. pruinosum, C. versicolor and B. adusta, but not with those of Pleurotus ostreatus.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Hans-Jürgen Rehm on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Distribution of ligninolytic enzymes in selected white-rot fungi

Ten white-rot fungi have been screened for the production of ligninase, manganese peroxidase and laccase. Although the fungi degraded lignin efficiently, they significantly differed in the occurrence of individual ligninolytic enzymes. Based on the enzyme pattern produced under N-limited conditions, the fungi can be divided into the following four groups:1. ligninase-manganese peroxidase-laccase group,2. ligninase-manganese peroxidase group,3. manganese peroxidase-laccase group,4. laccase group.     

白腐真菌漆酶的纯化及性质

液体发酵培养白腐真菌F9,粗酶液经盐析、透析浓缩、葡聚糖G-100柱层析、DEAE-纤维素离子交换层析四步分离纯化,得电泳纯漆酶。经SDS-PAGE法测定酶的相对分子质量约为6×104,酶活回收率达46.47%,纯度提高了18.86倍。F9漆酶最适反应温度为40℃,最适反应pH为4.8,在35℃以下、pH 4.8～5.4的范围内稳定性较强。其催化愈创木酚的Km为4.61 mmol/L,vm为6.27 mmol/(L.min)。K+对其有激活作用,而Fe2+、Fe3+对其有明显抑制作用。     

Industrial and agricultural wastes as substrates for laccase production by white-rot fungi

White-rot fungi,Coriolus versicolor andFunalia trogii, produced laccase on media with diluted olive-oil mill wastewater and vinasse. Addition of spent cotton stalks enhanced the laccase activity with a maximum after 12 d of cultivation.     

白腐真菌总DNA提取方法的研究

白腐真菌的巨大而广谱的生物降解能力使其在“三废”治理和环境修复中具有良好的应用前景。为寻求一种简便有效的白腐真菌总DNA的提取方法,在实验中分别采用蜗牛酶法、CTAB法、SDS法和蛋白酶K法进行操作,且对提取的DNA进行紫外吸收光谱和琼脂糖凝胶电泳（AGE）检测。通过对提取的总DNA浓度、纯度、实验操作过程以及试验成本等方面的比较与分析,得出蜗牛酶法是白腐真菌总DNA提取的理想方法。