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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Degradation by Marine-Derived Basidiomycetes: Optimization of the Degradation Process

Summary

This research demonstrates how certain marine fungi can be used to clean up harmful oil-based pollutants in ocean environments. The study found that a specific fungus, Marasmiellus sp., can break down toxic petroleum compounds very efficiently in salty conditions, making it potentially valuable for cleaning up marine pollution. Impacts on everyday life: – Could help clean up oil spills and pollution in oceans more effectively – Provides a natural, environmentally-friendly way to remove toxic chemicals from marine environments – May lead to better protection of marine ecosystems and seafood safety – Could reduce the environmental impact of industrial and shipping activities – Demonstrates nature-based solutions for environmental problems

Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds composed of two or more fused benzene rings formed during combustion of organic molecules. These compounds are widely distributed environmental pollutants discharged from various activities like fossil fuel combustion, shipping, petroleum products, and industrial waste. PAHs accumulate in marine sediments due to their limited water solubility and high affinity for particulate matter.

Objective

This study aimed to select the best PAH degrader among three marine-derived basidiomycete fungi and optimize its pyrene detoxification/degradation process. The research focused on evaluating pyrene degradation conditions using experimental design, acute toxicity testing, organic carbon removal measurement, and metabolite analysis.

Results

Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062 showed superior PAH degradation capability, degrading over 90% of both pyrene and BaP after 7 days. Through optimization, the fungus achieved almost 100% pyrene degradation (0.08 mg/mL) after just 48 hours under saline conditions. Four metabolites were identified suggesting degradation via cytochrome P450 system and epoxide hydrolases. The process showed reduced toxicity and 17% organic carbon reduction.

Conclusion

The marine-derived fungus Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062 demonstrates significant potential for PAH bioremediation, particularly in saline environments. The optimization process successfully reduced degradation time while increasing PAH concentration. The fungus effectively detoxified and metabolized pyrene, making it a promising new microbial resource for environmental remediation applications.
  • Published in:Brazilian Journal of Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.bjm.2018.04.007
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