Optimization of White-Rot Fungi Mycelial Culture Components for Bioremediation of Pharmaceutical-Derived Pollutants

White-rot fungi can degrade a wide spectrum of environmental pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, which are not efficiently removed from wastewater by conventional methods, e.g., the activated sludge method. However, treatment with use fungal cultures (mycoremediation) also has significant limitations: among others, need to appropriate, often-expensive culture media. We aimed screen 18 media ingredients, seven agrifood byproducts for Armillaria mellea, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus ostreatus in submerged select low-cost medium optimal biomass production laccase activity. screened nine mathematic models describe relation growth amount selected byproduct Finally, we tested ability strain highest mycelial enzyme-producing eight drug contaminants. Three variants composed provided both efficient production: corn steep liquor + poplar, dried distillers grains solubles poplar 50%. Among investigated models, Han–Levenspiel equation described well specific rate function nominal substrate concentration one-component ostreatus, fungus ligninolytic enzyme activity, cultured liquor, six contaminants removal degree 20–90% 48 h. The obtained data on consisting insoluble components provide initial upscaling process designing an appropriate type bioreactor removing water.