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Diversity of Culturable Fungi in Two-Phase Olive Mill Waste, a Preliminary Evaluation of Their Enzymatic Potential, and Two New Trichoderma Species

Summary

Scientists discovered 31 different fungal species living in olive mill waste, including two previously unknown species. These fungi have the ability to break down tough plant materials and remove harmful dyes from waste, making them useful for cleaning up environmental pollution. This research suggests these fungi could be used to transform olive oil production waste into useful products, supporting a circular economy.

Background

Two-phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) is a lignocellulose- and phenolic-rich agro-industrial by-product generated in large quantities in olive oil-producing countries. TPOMW presents significant environmental challenges due to high organic load and chemical composition, but also offers opportunities for sustainable applications through microbial biotechnology.

Objective

This study investigated the diversity and enzymatic potential of culturable fungi present in TPOMW, with the goal of identifying promising fungal taxa for biotechnological exploitation in circular economy applications. The research aimed to elucidate taxonomic diversity through multilocus phylogenetic analyses and evaluate lignocellulolytic and dye-decolorization activities.

Results

Thirty-one fungal species representing three phyla were identified, including two new Trichoderma species (T. amurcicola and T. olivarum) within the Harzianum clade. Twenty-nine species exhibited cellulolytic and/or xylanolytic activities, 26 species showed dye decolorization capacity, while promising lignocellulosic degraders included Cladosporium limoniforme, C. ramotenellum, Fuscoporia ferrea, Peniophora lycii, and Pseudophlebia setulosa.

Conclusion

The culturable fungal community in TPOMW demonstrates considerable enzymatic potential for lignocellulose degradation and effluent detoxification. These fungi represent promising biotechnological tools for waste valorization and circular economy applications in olive oil-producing regions.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Biodiversity and Biochemical Survey,
  • Source: PMID: 41003234, DOI: 10.3390/jof11090687
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