Irpex lacteus – mycolab.ai

Editorial: Pharmaceutically active micropollutants – how serious is the problem and is there a microbial way out?

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Medicines we take don’t fully disappear—30 to 90% are excreted unchanged and end up in water supplies. These pharmaceutical residues contaminate drinking water and harm aquatic life worldwide. Scientists are discovering that certain fungi and bacteria can break down these drug residues through natural metabolic processes. By harnessing these microbes in treatment systems and improving waste management practices, we could significantly reduce pharmaceutical pollution.

Biotransformation of the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic, Levofloxacin, by the Free and Immobilized Secretome of Coriolopsis gallica

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Researchers discovered that a type of fungus called Coriolopsis gallica can break down the antibiotic levofloxacin, which persists in the environment and contributes to antibiotic resistance. They tested both free enzymes from the fungus and enzymes trapped in alginate beads to see which worked better. The study found that free enzymes degraded more of the antibiotic when a chemical helper molecule called HBT was added, while immobilized enzymes were more stable and could be reused multiple times.

The potential of fungi in the bioremediation of pharmaceutically active compounds: a comprehensive review

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Pharmaceutical drugs that we take end up in our water systems because our bodies don’t fully process them. Fungi, especially types of mushrooms, have powerful enzymes that can break down these drug residues and clean contaminated water. Scientists are studying how to use these fungi in treatment systems to remove medications from hospital wastewater and drinking water sources.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) biodegradation by a lignolytic phenoloxidase of Trametes hirsuta

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Scientists discovered that a mushroom called Trametes hirsuta produces a special enzyme that can break down aflatoxin B1, a dangerous toxin that contaminates foods like peanuts, corn, and nuts. This enzyme is unique because it works without needing additional chemicals as helpers, making it practical for real-world use. The enzyme successfully degraded 77.9% of the toxin under simple conditions, and researchers suggest it could be applied directly to contaminated food surfaces as a safe, natural way to reduce food poisoning risks.

Bibliometric analysis of global research on white rot fungi biotechnology for environmental application

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White rot fungi are special mushrooms that can break down difficult-to-decompose pollutants in soil and water, offering a natural and cost-effective way to clean up environmental contamination. This research study analyzed over 3,900 scientific publications about using these fungi for environmental cleanup from 2003 to 2020. The analysis found that research on white rot fungi has grown significantly, with scientists from China and the USA leading the field, and identified three major application areas: treating biomass waste, removing dyes from wastewater, and cleaning polluted environments.

Fungal Ligninolytic Enzymes and Their Application in Biomass Lignin Pretreatment

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Scientists tested ten different types of fungi to see which ones could best break down lignin, a tough natural material found in plants. Four fungi species showed exceptional ability to produce special enzymes that decompose lignin. These findings could help develop new eco-friendly industrial processes for converting plant waste into useful products, potentially reducing reliance on chemical treatments and fossil fuels.

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

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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.

Searching for Chemical Agents Suppressing Substrate Microbiota in White-Rot Fungi Large-Scale Cultivation

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This research addresses a practical challenge in growing edible mushrooms and using fungi to clean polluted materials: unwanted bacteria and molds prevent beneficial white-rot fungi from growing. Scientists tested various cheap chemicals to find which ones kill unwanted microbes while letting white-rot fungi thrive. They discovered that hydrogen peroxide at 1.5-3% concentration works best, effectively eliminating competing microorganisms without harming the desired fungi, making large-scale mushroom farming and pollution cleanup more feasible and economical.

Pharmaceutical waste management through microbial bioremediation

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Medicines we take are ending up in our water supplies and harming ecosystems. Instead of using expensive chemical treatments, scientists are using microorganisms like fungi and bacteria to break down pharmaceutical waste into harmless substances. This biological approach is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, though challenges remain in scaling up the technology. Additionally, designing medicines that naturally degrade after leaving the body could prevent pollution at its source.

White Rot Fungi as Tools for the Bioremediation of Xenobiotics: A Review

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White rot fungi are nature’s cleanup crew that can break down many toxic chemicals in our environment, from industrial dyes to pesticides. These special fungi produce powerful enzymes that can degrade pollutants that normally resist breakdown, making them promising tools for cleaning contaminated soil and water. Scientists are studying how to better harness these fungi’s abilities to treat industrial wastewater and restore polluted environments.

Fungal Species: Irpex lacteus