Isolation and characterisation of fungi growing on volatile aromatic hydrocarbons as their sole carbon and energy source

Five fungal strains that are able to grow on toluene were isolated from enrichment cultures. Three different techniques were used: solid state-like batches, air biofilters and liquid cultures. Fungal growth in the latter systems was favoured by combining low pH and low water activity. Soil and groun...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mycological research 2001-04, Vol.105 (4), p.477-484
Main Authors: PRENAFETA-BOLDÚ, Francesc X., KUHN, Andrea, LUYKX, Dion M. A. M., ANKE, Heidrun, van GROENESTIJN, Johan W., de BONT, Jan A. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biological treatment of gaseous effluents
Biotechnology
Cladophialophora
Environment and pollution
ethylbenzene
Exophiala
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Laboratorium voor Microbiologie
Microbiological Laboratory
Microbiologie
Microbiology
styrene
toluene
WIMEK
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Five fungal strains that are able to grow on toluene were isolated from enrichment cultures. Three different techniques were used: solid state-like batches, air biofilters and liquid cultures. Fungal growth in the latter systems was favoured by combining low pH and low water activity. Soil and groundwater samples from gasoline-polluted environments were used as inocula. The isolates were identified as deuteromycetes belonging to the genera Cladophialophora, Exophiala and Leptodontium and the ascomycete Pseudeurotium zonatum. The previously isolated toluene-degrading fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum was included in the present study. Results showed that fungi grew on toluene with doubling times of about 2 to 3 days. Some of the strains also grew on ethylbenzene and styrene. The apparent half-saturation constant (Km) for toluene oxidation ranged from 5 to 22 μM. Degradation activity was inhibited by 50% at toluene concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 4.7 mM. These kinetic parameters are comparable to analogous data reported for toluene-degrading bacteria. The ability of fungi to grow at low water activities and low pH suggest that they may be used for the purification of gas streams containing aromatic hydrocarbons in air biofilters.
ISSN:0953-7562
1469-8102
DOI:10.1017/S0953756201003719