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Degradation of High Concentrations of Anthracene Using White-Rot Wood-Inhabiting Fungi and Investigation of Enzyme Activities

Summary

Scientists in Iran discovered that certain wood-decay fungi, particularly Trametes versicolor mushrooms, can effectively break down anthracene, a toxic pollutant from oil and gas industries. These fungi produce special enzymes that degrade the harmful chemical into less toxic substances. In laboratory tests, these indigenous Iranian fungi successfully removed 20-64% of high-concentration anthracene over four weeks, showing promise for cleaning up contaminated sites.

Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like anthracene pose significant environmental and health risks. White-rot fungi (WRF) produce lignin-modifying enzymes including laccase and manganese peroxidase that can degrade xenobiotic pollutants. Indigenous fungal strains from Iran have not been previously investigated for bioremediation potential.

Objective

To isolate and identify white-rot basidiomycete strains from Iran and evaluate their ligninolytic enzyme activities and ability to degrade high concentrations (400 mg/L) of anthracene. The study aimed to identify potential candidates for mycoremediation applications.

Results

Four polypores showed highest enzyme activities and anthracene tolerance: Trametes versicolor v21te degraded 64%, T. versicolor v22da degraded 52%, T. hirsuta degraded 34%, and Oxyporus sp. degraded 20% of 400 mg/L anthracene over 28 days. Laccase and MnP activities increased 2-3 fold in the presence of anthracene, correlating directly with degradation efficiency.

Conclusion

Indigenous white-rot fungi, particularly Trametes versicolor strains, demonstrated significant capacity to degrade high concentrations of anthracene while maintaining enzyme production. These findings establish potential mycoremediation candidates for PAH contamination in environmental applications, especially in areas with petroleum and gas industry contamination.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2024.2409485, PMID: 39649147
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