Publication
Evaluation of individual fungal species and their co-culture for degrading a binary mixture of dyes under solid-state fermentation
Publisher:
University of Liege
Date:
2018
DOI:
10.25518/1780-4507.16675
Abstract: Description of the subject. In recent years, biological methodologies, such as solid-state fermentation, have acquired a great relevance for bioremediation of complex molecules because of their efficiency and low environmental impact. Specifically, the use of white-rot fungi in different biotechnological processes has emerged as a promising strategy given their broad enzymatic potential. Objectives. Evaluation of three in idual fungal species, as well as various fungal consortia of these species, for the degradation of a mixture of dyes, brilliant blue – allura red, through solid-state fermentation. Method. The species Pleurotus pulmonarius, Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor were assessed, both in idually, and in their binary consortia. The interaction between the mycelia of the different white-rot fungi was taken into account as a criterion for using their consortia to degrade the mixture of pollutants under solid conditions. The dyes were adsorbed onto the agro-industrial by-products flower stems and corncob. The fermentative process was carried out over 20 days, after which the degradation percentage was quantified by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results. The highest degradation percentage was obtained after fermentation by T. versicolor alone. This species reached an average degradation of 79.57% of the binary mixture of dyes, brilliant blue – allura red. Meanwhile, the best consortium, composed of P. ostreatus and T. versicolor, achieved a degradation of 63.24%. Conclusions. These results suggest that the use of fungal consortia, in solid media, does not always lead to a synergy between species for improved dye degradation by the integrated strategy that includes the processes of adsorption and solid-state fermentation. Instead, competition for space and nutrients associated with growth on a solid substrate could decrease the degradation efficiency.