Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Co-Culture of Pleurotus ostreatus Florida and Azospirillum brasilense

Bacterial-fungal interactions are important in the functioning of natural ecosystems. We examined possible synergistic or antagonistic effects during degradation polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by a fungal–bacterial co-culture. Bacteria and fungi were grown liquid nutrient medium supplemented with PAH substrates. The PAHs identification metabolites checked HPLC. Enzyme activities spectrophotometrically measured test Compared to monocultures, co-culture yielded higher mycelium dry weights numbers bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs). Both organisms their transformed three- four-ring into corresponding quinones. was accompanied production fungal extracellular laccase versatile peroxidase, whose than they monocultures. presence exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) boosted enzyme production. xylotrophic basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus Florida plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium Azospirillum brasilense exerted positive mutual effect, including increases weight, number CFUs, PAHs, enzymes. IAA may be factor P. A. brasilense.