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Exploring Trichoderma Species in Industrial Wastewater: Morphological and Molecular Insights from Isolates

Summary

Researchers isolated and identified four species of Trichoderma fungi from industrial wastewater in Pakistan, including steel mill, tannery, and textile mill effluents. These fungi were characterized using both traditional microscopy and modern DNA sequencing techniques. The study identified three new species records for Pakistan and showed these fungi can help treat industrial pollution while potentially producing useful enzymes.

Background

The genus Trichoderma holds significant economic value due to its diverse applications in biological control, enzyme production, and biotechnology. Industrial wastewater treatment has become critical due to potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health, with microorganisms like Trichoderma offering promising bioremediation solutions. Accurate identification of Trichoderma species is crucial given their close association with human activities and varied environmental niches.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and characterize Trichoderma species from industrial wastewater in Pakistan using combined morphological and molecular approaches. The research focused on expanding knowledge of Trichoderma diversity in industrial settings and identifying species from specific wastewater sources including steel mills, tanneries, and textile mills.

Results

The study identified four Trichoderma species: T. citrinoviride, T. erinaceum, T. longibrachiatum, and T. harzianum, with the first three representing new records from Pakistan. T. citrinoviride and T. longibrachiatum were differentiated based on morphological characteristics of phialides and conidia. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed species identity and placement within three major clades: Longibrachiatum, Pachybasium, and Trichoderma.

Conclusion

The combination of morphological and molecular techniques successfully identified Trichoderma species from industrial wastewater environments in Pakistan. These findings contribute to understanding Trichoderma diversity in industrial contexts and highlight their potential applications in bioremediation, biological control, and enzyme production. Future research should explore ecological roles and biotechnological potential of these species.
  • Published in:Life (Basel),
  • Study Type:Descriptive Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/life14060750, PMC11204433, PMID: 38929733
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