Degradation of Phenol Derivatives by a Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Strain

The white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has significant pollutant-degrading capabilities with its oxidoreductases. The lignin-degrading enzyme system of this fungus also allows the breakdown of different organic pollutants (xenobiotics). The most significant enzymes in these processes are the lignin peroxidase and the manganese peroxidase. In this study, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strains were isolated from various Hungarian habitats. It was revealed, that one of these strains (Pha78) seems to be very promising for such remediation purposes. The degradation of different phenol derivatives by this isolate was investigated both in lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase inductive media. The starting concentrations of phenol derivative compounds were 20 mg l-1. The amounts of the phenolic compounds in the media were measured by the colorimetric aminoantipyrine method. The tested Phanerochaete strain was able to degrade different phenol derivatives efficiently, especially in manganese peroxidase-inductive medium.