Bioremediation of distillery effluent by Pleurotus sajor-caju: evaluation of the influence of pH in vinasse derived from molasses

Background The alcohol industry is an excellent representation of the development process in Brazil, it considers the sugar cane as one of the biggest monocultures. As a result of this high production, there is the vinasse, a residue from the alcohol production after the pulp fermentation and distillation of the wine (Pulp after fermentation), ensuing from 8 to 15 liters for each liter of ethanol produced. This high colored effluent and an objectionable odor is rich in nutrients, mainly in organic matter, having a high potencial poluent when it is inaccordingly in the environment [1,2]. Lignolytic fungi can be used to the remediation of the pollutants, such as vinasse, by the action of peroxidases. So, the search is interested in reducing the contaminations caused by the direct application of the vinasse on the earth without a previous treatment. Therefore the objective is to characterize the biodegradation of the residue through the basidiomycetes Pleurotus sajor-cajuCCB 020 and consequently to produce enzymes with biotechnological potential, decoloring the vinasse and minimizing the polluter potential. After the treatment of the vinasse, it shows several goals as the fertirrigation, the water reuse for the washing proccess of the sugar cane and/or other activities related to the industrial process.