Search

Plastics are a prevalent and persistent pollutant in the environment. As plastic production increases, finding ways to degrade these recalcitrant polymers is paramount. Many terrestrial fungi, across the kingdom, degrade various types of plastic. Plastics are the fastest-growing habitat in the oceans, and we hypothesized that fungi isolated from the ocean would demonstrate high success rates in degrading polyurethane (PU). To test this, visual degradation assays were performed by inoculating 1% PU medium with 68 different fungal strains cultured from marine habitats. The area of clearance of the fungus was measured periodically, to determine a relative degradation rate. Of the 68 fungal strains, 42 demonstrated the ability to degrade PU. We conditioned the nine fastest PU degraders through serial inoculations into liquid media with increasing concentrations of PU, starting at 1% and going up to 12%. The growth rates of the original and conditioned fungi were then compared in new inoculation trials, and results show that three of the nine conditioned fungi demonstrate higher PU degradation rates than their unconditioned counterparts. Marine fungi, coupled with conditioning, show promise for developing novel mycoremediation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by various types of fungi that are known to contaminate various food products; their presence in the food chain poses significant risks to human and animal health and leads to enormous economic losses in the food and feed industry worldwide. Ensuring food safety and quality by detoxifying mycotoxin is therefore of paramount importance. Several procedures to control fungal toxins have been extensively investigated, such as preventive measures, physical and chemical methods, and biological strategies. In recent years, microbial degradation of mycotoxins has attracted much attention due to its reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Notably, bacterial species from the Bacillus genus have emerged as promising candidates for mycotoxin decontamination owing to their diverse metabolic capabilities and resilience in harsh environmental conditions. This review manuscript aims to provide a summary of recent studies on the biodegradation of fungal toxins by Bacillus bacteria, thereby illustrating their potential applications in the development of mycotoxin-degrading products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and wastewater samples contaminated by petroleum-related industries were collected from various locations in Saudi Arabia, a country known for its vast oil reserves. The samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, including the presence of metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and aromatic compounds. A total of 264 fungal isolates were analyzed and categorized into eight groups of Aspergillus (194 isolates) and four groups of Penicillium (70 isolates). The potential of these fungal groups to grow in oil or its derivatives was investigated. Two isolates, Aspergillus tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FU-KSU69, were utilized in two remediation experiments—one targeting wastewater and the other focusing on polluted soil. The FA-KSU5 strain demonstrated complete removal of Fe3+, As3+, Cr6+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+, with bioremediation efficiency for petroleum hydrocarbons in the wastewater from these sites ranging between 90.80 and 98.58%. Additionally, the FU-KSU69 strain achieved up to 100% reduction of Co2+, Ba2+, B3+, V+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+, with removal efficiency ranging from 93.17 to 96.02% for aromatic hydrocarbons after 180 min of wastewater treatment. After 21 days of soil incubation with Aspergillus tubingensis FA-KSU5, there was a 93.15% to 98.48% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and an 88.11% to 97.31% decrease in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This strain exhibited the highest removal rates for Cd2+ and As3+ followed by Fe3+, Zn2+, Cr6+, Se4+ and Cu2+. Aspergillus niger FU-KSU69 achieved a 90.37% to 94.90% reduction in TPHs and a 95.13% to 98.15% decrease in PAHs, with significant removal of Ni2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+, followed by Co2+, V+, Ba2+ and B3+. The enzymatic activity in the treated soils increased by 1.54- to 3.57-fold compared to the polluted soil. Although the mixture of wastewater and polluted soil exhibited high cytotoxicity against normal human cell lines, following mycoremediation, all treated soils and effluents with the dead fungal biomass showed no toxicity against normal human cell lines at concentrations up to 500 µL/mL, with IC50 values ≥ 1000 µL/mL. SEM and IR analysis revealed morphological and biochemical alterations in the biomass of A. tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FA-KSU69 when exposed to petroleum effluents. This study successfully introduces non-toxigenic and environmentally friendly fungal strains play a crucial role in the bioremediation of contaminated environments. Both strains serve as low-cost and effective adsorbents for bio-remediating petroleum wastewater and oil-contaminated soil. Heavy metals and hydrocarbons, the primary pollutants, were either completely removed or reduced to permissible levels according to international guidelines using the dead biomass of FA-KSU5 and FA-KSU69 fungi. Consequently, the environments associated with this globally significant industry are rendered biologically safe, particularly for humans, as evidenced by the absence of cytotoxicity in samples treated with A. tubingensis FA-KSU5 and A. niger FA-KSU69 on various human cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we use an isolated strain of Geotrichum candidum (MH680587) to propose a sustainable treatment technique based on mycoremediation for the biodegradation and decolorization of Congo Red (CR) azo dye. FTIR analysis and UV–vis spectroscopy were used to confirm the decolorization process. Furthermore, a novel mechanism for the fungus's biocatalysis of CR was postulated, based on the discovery of intermediates by LC–MS/MS analysis. Screening and optimization of important cultural parameters to control dye biodegradation were performed using a fractional factorial design (27–4). Optimal decolorization conditions were determined by varying seven factors: agitation, initial dye concentration, (NH4)2SO4 concentration, glucose concentration, inoculum size, pH, and temperature. The results achieved showed that maximum decolorization was reached under static conditions, with of 0.2 g L−1 as an original concentration of dye, (NH4)2SO4 concentration of 2 g. L−1, and inoculum size of 3 g L−1. Biodegradation assays conducted under these optimal conditions resulted in over 90% removal of optical density (OD). Manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) were found to be involved in the degradation process of this dye. Toxicity assessment demonstrated that these intermediate metabolites were less toxic to plant tissues and bacteria compared to the raw azo dye. Overall, the findings indicate that G. candidum (MH680587) possesses a strong decolorization ability for CR under static conditions. It exhibits promising possibility of utilizing in the field of dye wastewater treatment, with the added benefit of low energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-based pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are widely used for different applications due to their cost and convenience. However, their synthesis relies on petroleum-based acrylic monomers, which negatively affects their biodegradability and recyclability. Hybrid acrylic polymers combining acrylic monomers and acrylate-functionalized lactide-based macromonomers could help solve this issue. Recently, we reported on the remarkable biodegradability of these hybrid PSAs in their latex format when using fungal treatments. In this study, we focused on the degradation of dried PSA films, a prevalent application format in commercial settings, by utilizing fungal consortia and solid-state fermentation. Our findings indicated that the type of fungal treatment, carbon source provided, and substrate thickness significantly affected biodegradation rates. The co-culture of Pestalotiopsis microspora and Trametes versicolor demonstrated particularly promising results, achieving degradation rates exceeding 50%, notably, when utilizing wheat bran as a carbon source. Moreover, the renewal of culture media and inoculum further amplified PSA biodegradation. These results underscore the potential of fungal consortia in solid-state cultures to substantially enhance the biodegradation of hybrid acrylic PSA films, offering insights for the design of more sustainable adhesive bio-based products and finally leading to an environmentally responsible end of the PSAs lifecycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micropollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, inhibit microbial growth, threatening ecosystems. Yet, the mechanism behind mycoremediation of the pesticide lindane and multiple metals (Cd, Total Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) remains poorly understood. In our study, we investigated cellular responses in Aspergillus fumigatus PD-18 using LC-MS/MS, identifying 2190 proteins, 1147 of which were consistently present under both stress conditions. Specifically, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and heat shock proteins were up-regulated to counter oxidative stress and protein misfolding. Proteins involved in intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport; RNA processing and modification showed enhanced abundance and regulating stress response pathways. Additionally, haloalkane dehalogenase and homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase played pivotal roles in lindane mineralization. Bioinformatics analysis highlighted enriched pathways such as Glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and Purine metabolism, that are crucial for combating adverse environments. We identified the hub protein 26 S proteasome regulatory subunit complex as potential biomarker and remedial targets for mycoremediation of wastewater, suggesting practical applications for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military sites, both active and decommissioned, are rarely studied and may represent a source of fungal bioresources with potential applications for the remediation of co-contaminated soils. The aims of this study were both deepening the knowledge on fungal communities of a decommissioned military site and identifying indigenous bioresources showing potentialities for downstream mycoremediation applications. The culturable fractions of soil fungal communities of an Italian decommissioned military site were isolated from six representative sampling plots. In addition, the fungal community of the rhizosphere of Plantago lanceolata was also isolated. α and β diversity indices were used to analyze biodiversity data of the isolated fungal communities. A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enrichment microplate experiment in the presence of Zn, Pb, and Zn-Pb co-contamination was conducted, followed by in vitro functional traits screenings, to select the isolates with the best potential for future mycoremediation applications. Globally 101 taxa, accounting for a total of 546 strains, were isolated from the samples. The enrichment results highlighted several fungal species showing the ability to use PAHs as nutritional source, even in the co-presence of potentially toxic elements. Finally, the analysis of their functional traits revealed their potential for biotechnological applications in soil detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline pretreated hemp fibers were modified by steam explosion and/or silanization before being compounded with polylactic acid (PLA). The fungal biodegradation of the PLA/hemp fibers composite was investigated using Aspergillus niger TISTR 3153 in an aqueous medium for 28 days, following the ISO 846: 1997 standard method. The influence of the different physicochemical modifications of hemp fibers on the fungal biodegradation of the composite was evaluated in terms of molecular weight, chemical structure, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and hygroscopic properties. The results showed that the modulus of all composites were averagely increased by 109%, compared to neat PLA. All the PLA/hemp fiber composites better retained their properties after fungal biodegradation than neat PLA. Therefore, the physicochemical treatments of fibers after alkaline pretreatment promoted the resistance of the composite to fungal biodegradation. The treatment of hemp fibers in the present work was alkalization followed by silanization, which resulted in a PLA-based composite that was suitable for outdoor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating accumulation of toxic wastes and biowastes constitutes a critical environmental crisis that demands immediate and effective solutions. Traditional waste treatment methods, predominantly chemical and physical, are increasingly viewed as unsustainable, burdened by high operational costs and the risk of generating secondary pollutants. Against this backdrop, bioremediation emerges as a crucial and sustainable alternative, utilizing the natural detoxifying capabilities of microorganisms. This review article focuses on the use of fungal and bacterial strategies in bioremediation, emphasizing their vital role in the degradation, stabilization, or detoxification of pollutants. We provide an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms by which fungi and bacteria break down various contaminants, presenting a current snapshot of the field's state of knowledge. The article highlights recent innovative advancements that improve the effectiveness and expand the applicability of bioremediation technologies. Moreover, it discusses the practical challenges of scaling these solutions to meet global environmental needs and suggests directions for future research and implementation. This synthesis not only underscores the significance of microbial bioremediation in addressing pressing environmental problems but also acts as a call to action for continued innovation in the sustainable management of hazardous wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution has aroused up to intimidating level around the globe and has become a focal point for researchers. However, data regarding the effects of microplastics on structure and function of filamentous fungal species is very scarce. Fungi have made a prominent mark in the area of heavy metals’ bioremediation. This study attempts to check the influence of microplastic pollutants on Hg2+ uptake potential of metal-resistant Aspergillus flavus at laboratory scale under pre-optimized conditions. A. flavus showed a remarkable potential of remediating simulated wastewater, i.e., 100% Hg2+ reduction was achieved at 25 mg/L of the added metal in 15 days of incubation. On higher concentrations like 75 and 100 mg/L, A. flavus showed almost negligible reduction of Hg2+ but this strain was able to tolerate Hg2+ up to 200 mg/L. Polystyrene microbeads at a concentration of 100 mg/L reduced the metal uptake potential of A. flavus up to 21%. Polystyrene microparticles might have formed aggregates on fungal mycelia blocking the attachment sites for heavy metals. Our findings will be helpful in designing an efficient bioremedial system mediated by the pollution-resistant microflora. More research is required to check the possible effects of microplastic pollutants on the fungal mycelia to exploit their maximum potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myco degradation is an effective technique for breaking down waste plant substances made of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are collectively known as lignocellulose. This abundant organic material is found throughout the world. Due to its recalcitrant nature, lignocellulose poses a challenge for efficient conversion into biofuels, biochemicals, and other valuable products. Myco degradation, which involves the use of fungi to degrade lignocellulosic materials, offers a sustainable and cost‐efficient resolution to this challenge. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms and applications of myco degradation for lignocellulosic biomass degradation. The review discusses the various types of fungi involved in lignocellulose degradation, their enzymatic systems, and the factors that influences their performance. Furthermore, the potential applications of myco degradation products, such as biofuels, enzymes, and bioplastics, are reviewed. It also highlights the implications of myco degradation for waste management and sustainable development. Overall, myco degradation represents a promising technology for the efficient deprivation of lignocellulosic waste biomass, and further research in this field holds great potential for the sustainable creation of bio‐based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSince conventional dye removal techniques require a substantial amount of energy and chemicals, this study evaluated the utilization of Pleurotus ostreatus, a species of fungus, in an environmentally beneficial mycoremediation approach to decolorize two azo dyes, methyl orange (MO) and methyl red (MR), in a liquid medium. Pleurotus ostreatus was utilized under standard circumstances in the solutions containing 0.05% (w/v) MO and 0.05% (w/v) MR, without undergoing any genetic modifications. By analyzing the effects of time (6, 12, and 18 days), temperature (15 °C to 40 °C), pH (4 to 7), and inoculum volume (1 to 25 mL) on the decolorization rate of P. ostreatus, the ideal environment for the decolorization of MO and MR was determined. The highest rate of decolorization was evident at 25 °C temperature, pH 7 within 18 days of incubation, P. ostreatus could decolorize 0.05 g MO up to 97% when added in 10 mL inoculum volume on the other hand 0.05 g MR up to 93% in 15 mL inoculum volume at pH 6. Furthermore, the dye uptake rate after 18 days for MO was 59.25% and MR was 53.97% which indicated that P. ostreatus had a better uptake efficiency for MO than MR. Based on its ability to decolorize both MO and MR under suitable circumstances, the study concludes that P. ostreatus offers an appreciable mycoremediation approach for removing dye pigments from industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycofiltration via continuous fixed bed adsorption, helped to assess the effect of flow rate, pH, column bed height and myceliation on the sorption capacity of a mycofilter. The mycofilter (thatching straw and Pleurotus ostreatus) was cultured and loaded into polypropylene columns (2.5 × 12 cm) to bed heights of 2 and 4 cm. A food color solution was passed through at different pH (2 and 7.5) and flow rates (0.25 ml/min and 2 ml/min). The filtrate was collected and measured at time intervals. Under constant flow rate and solution pH, the 4 cm bed adsorbed 8 times the inlet amount of food color compared to 1.6 times only for the 2 cm bed. More food color was adsorbed with the higher flow rate (10 times the inlet concentration). Adsorption was only observed in the solution with pH = 2. The control filter (without mycelia) adsorbed 3-fold less than the mycofilter. The experimental data best fitted into the Thomas model (compared to the Yoon-Nelson model) which showed that an increase in bed height caused an increase in adsorption capacity (qTH), and that an increase in flow rate resulted in an increase in Thomas rate constant (KTH). FTIR analyses of the mycofilter revealed amide, hydroxyl, and chitin groups possibly involved in adsorption processes. Our fixed bed mycofilter optimally removed food color from aqueous solutions, in high bed height and flow rate, and low pH conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution of the environment is one of the biggest issues of today's society. Whether it affects soils or water, once introduced in the environment, heavy metals cannot be biodegraded. In agriculture, heavy metal pollution affects both the quality and the quantity of the crops. In the aquatic environment, heavy metals affects not only the aquatic life but also it affects human directly, through the contamination of the drinking water. Their presence in environment results in bioaccumulation, further affecting biological and ecological cycles. Mining activities, chemical weathering of minerals, leather and textile industry and industrial discharges are just a few examples of heavy metals pollution sources. However, some heavy metals have importance as trace elements, for the growth and development of organisms such as plants and fungi. Due to their persistence in environment, microorganisms have evolved mechanisms to tolerate heavy metals presence through adsorption or chemical reduction of metal ions. In fact, the role of fungi as decomposers in the ecosystems led to the studying of their enzymes and ability to mycoremediate heavy metals. To obtain mycoremediation of heavy metal pollution, the aim is to determinate the right fungal species to target a specific pollutant. This paper aims to review the potential of fungi to bioremediate heavy metal pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution of the ocean is a major environmental threat. In this context, a better understanding of the microorganisms able to colonize and potentially degrade these pollutants is of interest. This study explores the colonization and biodegradation potential of fungal communities on foamed polystyrene and alternatives biodegradable plastics immersed in a marina environment over time, using the Brest marina (France) as a model site. The methodology involved a combination of high-throughput 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate fungal taxa associated with plastics compared to the surrounding seawater, and a culture-dependent approach to isolate environmentally relevant fungi to further assess their capabilities to utilize polymers as carbon sources. Metabarcoding results highlighted the significant diversity of fungal communities associated with both foamed polystyrene and biodegradable plastics, revealing a dynamic colonization process influenced by the type of polymer and immersion time. Notably, the research suggests a potential for certain fungal species to utilize polymers as a carbon source, emphasizing the need for further exploration of fungal biodegradation potential and mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we have developed for the first time a carbon ultramicroelectrode modified by a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) for selective determination of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP) in aqueous media. The polymeric film based on a non-covalent approach was obtained by electropolymerization of ortho-phenylenediamine in the presence of MNP to generate a template-polymer association on the electrode surface. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was used for MIP elaboration, performing 20 cycles in the range from 0 to 0.7 V versus Ag/AgCl/Cl−sat. After removing the template, we obtained a specific MNP recognition site on the modified microelectrode. The surfaces of the modified and unmodified microelectrodes were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Many parameters influencing the electropolymerization process were optimized. Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) was used for the quantitative analysis of MNP with the optimized following parameters: frequency 50 Hz, potential amplitude 70 mV, and scan increment 15 mV. The peak current increased linearly with the MNP concentration in the range from 1 to 17 mg L−1, and the limit of detection (LoD) for MNP was calculated to be 0.69 mg L−1. The elaborated UME-MIP was applied to study the bioremediation of MNP in a fungal microbial fuel cell using a ligninolytic fungus Trametes trogii (strain CLBE 55). The obtained results showed a zero-order kinetic with a kinetic constant of 10.5 mg L−1 h−1 at 22 °C and a half-time degradation of 4.5 h under an optimal external resistance of 20,950 Ohm and a power density of 1.2 mW m−3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is a trace element which is an essential micronutrient for all organisms. Though it is essential, if taken in excess leads to toxicity. Hence have a detrimental effect on the health. Selenium exists in various oxidation states out of which selenite and selenate are toxic and forms the major part of the pollutant in the ecosystem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address this issue in an eco‐friendly, efficient, and substantial way to protect the environment from further deterioration. In this regard, fungi have developed unique metabolic pathways to nullify the toxic effects of these pollutants and the process is known as mycoremediation. Mycoremediation is a cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient approach of environmental remediation that addresses organic, inorganic, and developing toxins (such as antibiotics and pharmaceuticals) by using fungus or their components. An alternative, environmentally friendly method for cleaning up contaminants in environmental matrices is provided by mycoremediation. This is due to the fact that most organic toxins are broken down rather than removed, which lowers the possibility of pollutants entering the food chain through bioaccumulation. Fungi possess robust morphology and various catabolic enzymes capable of using pollutant as a growth substrate. They transform the toxic selenium species via a series of biochemical reaction such as oxidation, reduction, methylation, and demethylation into nontoxic elemental selenium and selenium nanoparticles. Mycoremediation is a process subset that employs to fungi to degrade and restore contaminated Eco‐System. For this reason, a potential framework of "mycoremediation" was proposed to make it easier for this promising to report global environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating safety assessments for novel agrochemicals is imperative, advocating for in vitro setups to present pesticide biodegradation by soil microbiota before field studies. This approach enables metabolic profile generation in a controlled laboratory environment eliminating extrinsic factors. In the current study, ten different soil samples were utilized to check their capability to degrade Ametoctradin by their microbiota. Furthermore, five different fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Penicillium chrysogenum) were utilized to degrade Ametoctradin in aqueous media. A degradation pathway was established using the metabolic patterns created during the biodegradation of Ametoctradin. In contrast to 47% degradation (T1/2 of 34 days) when Ametoctradin was left in the soil samples, the fungal strain Aspergillus fumigatus demonstrated 71% degradation of parent Ametoctradin with a half-life (T1/2) of 16 days. In conclusion, soil rich in microorganisms effectively cleans Ametoctradin-contaminated areas while Fungi have also been shown to be an effective, affordable, and promising way to remove Ametoctradin from the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the application of high-tolerance and flexible indigenous bacteria and fungi, along with the co-metabolism in recycled paper and cardboard mill (RPCM) wastewater treatment (WWT). Design/methodology/approach: The molecular characterization of isolated indigenous bacteria and fungi was performed by 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Glucose was used as a cometabolic substrate to enhance the bioremediation process. Findings: The highest removal efficiency was achieved for both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color [78% COD and 45% color removal by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RW-2 (MZ603673), as well as approximately 70% COD and 48% color removal by Geotrichum candidum RW-4 (ON024394)]. The corresponding percentages were higher in comparison with the efficiency obtained from the oxidation ditch unit in the full-scale RPCM WWT plant. Originality/value: Indigenous P. aeruginosa RW-2 and G. candidum RW-4 demonstrated effective capability in RPCM WWT despite the highly toxic and low biodegradable nature, especially with the assistance of glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to widespread overuse, pharmaceutical compounds, such as antibiotics, are becoming increasingly prevalent in greater concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the capacity of the white-rot fungus, Coriolopsis gallica (a high-laccase-producing fungus), to biodegrade ampicillin under different cultivation conditions. The biodegradation of the antibiotic was confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and its antibacterial activity was evaluated using the bacterial growth inhibition agar well diffusion method, with Escherichia coli as an ampicillin-sensitive test strain. C. gallica successfully eliminated ampicillin (50 mg L−1) after 6 days of incubation in a liquid medium. The best results were achieved with a 9-day-old fungal culture, which treated a high concentration (500 mg L−1) of ampicillin within 3 days. This higher antibiotic removal rate was concomitant with the maximum laccase production in the culture supernatant. Meanwhile, four consecutive doses of 500 mg L−1 of ampicillin were removed by the same fungal culture within 24 days. After that, the fungus failed to remove the antibiotic. The measurement of the ligninolytic enzyme activity showed that C. gallica laccase might participate in the bioremediation of ampicillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum contamination has become a serious global concern due to adverse effects on terrestrial ecosystems. Bioremediation has been known as one of the most effective and economical solutions to reduce and eliminate pollutions caused by petroleum compounds. In this study, mycoremediation of contaminated soil was evaluated using a strain of Auricularia to simultaneously produce high-value biomass. Pre-culture media was prepared by growing the fungus on different lignocellulosic materials derived from agricultural wastes. Sequence analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions confirmed that the strain belonged to Auricularia auricularia-judae with high homology. A four-factor Taguchi design was then adopted to determine the optimal points of temperature (25 and 35 °C), type of media (mixtures of rice bran, tea waste, wheat straw, corn sticks, and sawdust), inoculum size (2 and 6 g), and nitrogen source (urea, ammonium nitrate, and nitrogen-free). The findings indicated that after 45 d, the mixture of rice bran, sawdust, and tea waste with 6 g inoculum in the absence of nitrogen at 35 °C ended up in striking efficiency of 71%. To the best of our knowledge, the study is a highly efficient bioremediation of petroleum-polluted soils using an edible strain of fungus. High degradation performance of Auricularia highlights the crucial role of lignocellulosic waste materials for biodegradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial development has enhanced the release into the environment of large quantities of chemical compounds with high toxicity and limited prospects of degradation. The pollution of soil and water with xenobiotic chemicals has become a major ecological issue; therefore, innovative treatment technologies need to be explored. Fungal bioremediation is a promising technology exploiting their metabolic potential to remove or lower the concentrations of xenobiotics. In particular, white rot fungi (WRF) are unique microorganisms that show high capacities to degrade a wide range of toxic xenobiotic compounds such as synthetic dyes, chlorophenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, organophosphate pesticides, explosives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this review, we address the main classes of enzymes involved in the fungal degradation of organic pollutants, the main mechanisms used by fungi to degrade these chemicals and the suitability of fungal biomass or extracellular enzymes for bioremediation. We also exemplify the role of several fungi in degrading pollutants such as synthetic dyes, PAHs and emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Finally, we discuss the existing current limitations of using WRF for the bioremediation of polluted environments and future strategies to improve biodegradation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The frequency and intensity of war-like activities (war, military training, and shooting ranges) worldwide cause soil pollution by metals, metalloids, explosives, radionuclides, and herbicides. Despite this environmentally worrying scenario, soil decontamination in former war zones almost always involves incineration. Nevertheless, this practice is expensive, and its efficiency is suitable only for organic pollutants. Therefore, treating soils polluted by wars requires efficient and economically viable alternatives. In this sense, this manuscript reviews the status and knowledge gaps of mycoremediation. (2) Methods: The literature review consisted of searches on ScienceDirect and Web of Science for articles (1980 to 2023) on the mycoremediation of soils containing pollutants derived from war-like activities. (3) Results: This review highlighted that mycoremediation has many successful applications for removing all pollutants of war-like activities. However, the mycoremediation of soils in former war zones and those impacted by military training and shooting ranges is still very incipient, with most applications emphasizing explosives. (4) Conclusion: The mycoremediation of soils from conflict zones is an entirely open field of research, and the main challenge is to optimize experimental conditions on a field scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the efficacy of three white-rot fungi—Bjerkandera adusta, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Trametes versicolor—in degrading synthetic dyes and lignin in pulp and paper mill effluents, which annually contribute around 40,000 million cubic meters of dyed waste. Exploiting the structural resemblance of dyes to lignin, the fungi utilize ligninolytic enzymes—lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase—to break down the pollutants. Initial mycoremediation trials in synthetic dye solutions with Direct black 80, Direct yellow 11, Basic brown 1, Orange II, and Red 8 BLP achieved decolorization rates of 70–80% within 7 days, except for Red 8 BLP. Both soluble and insoluble lignin fractions were significantly reduced, with an overall removal rate of 80–90%. Contrary to prior beliefs about the recalcitrance of azo dyes, B. adusta demonstrated substantial biodegradation capabilities, even on non-lignocellulosic substrates, such as dairy waste. The decolorization efficacy varied with dye structure, suggesting that efficiency should not be judged solely on color reduction. Remarkably, B. adusta also effectively decolorized and removed lignin from actual mill effluents without pH alteration, indicating a viable low-cost bioremediation strategy. This invites further investigation into optimizing B. adusta for industrial wastewater biodecolorization, especially in the field of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) pollution is a major concern in many developing nations of the world. Hence, there is a need for the development of an environmentally safe and cost-effective method for the clean-up of contaminated environments. The present study investigated the tolerance of presumptively identified fungal species isolated from 5 different dumpsite soils to Pb concentrations 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 5000, and 10000 mg/L. The identity of strains exhibiting outstanding tolerance was confirmed using molecular technique, and their biosorption capacity at 10000 mg/L was evaluated. FTIR and SEM analyses were performed on the Pb2+ untreated and treated fungal biomasses. A total of 17 fungal isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus Alternaria, Chrysosporium, and Penicillium were obtained. All the fungi were resistant to the test concentrations of Pb2+ except Chrysosporium sp. (at 5000 mg/L and 10000 mg/L) and Alternaria sp. (at 1500 mg/L, 5000 mg/L, and 10000 mg/L). Four isolates molecularly identified as A. awamori OP341445 and OP341446 and A. niger OP342447 and OP341448 recorded outstanding tolerance (> 1). Biosorption capacity was at its peak on day 5 except in OP34148, day 10 with a value of 97.82 mg/g. The Pb2+ removal rate was at equilibrium on day 5 (≈86%) except for OP41447 and OP41448 (≈87%) on day 15. FTIR analysis reveals the involvement of functional groups O-H, C-H, N-H, O=C=O, C≡C, N=C=S, C=C, N-O, C-N, and S=O in the biosorption process. SEM showed distortion in the cellular structure of the fungi. These results indicated the lead remediation potential of the fungal strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resources like air, water, and land are found to be contaminated by a broad variety of pharmaceutical contaminants. The release of industrial effluents, hospital wastewater, and untreated domestic water, which contains medications, colours, pharmaceutical blisters, and heavy metals that are ecotoxic even at concentrations of nanograms to micrograms, is a significant cause of water pollution. Mycoremediation is an operative approach is to detoxify these contaminants. The fungal strain was isolated from pharma industrial wastewater. Identification of the fungi was founded on the morphological and 18s rRNA sequencing technique. Isolate shared 99.82 % similarity with Zasmidium cellare and Cladosporium iridis strain CBS 138.40, suggesting the new species of fungi. The strain has received Gen bank accession number of OR081620.1. The fungal strain was found to degrade 85% of acetaminophen (1000 ppm) in 10 days when grown in mineral salt medium with acetaminophen as only carbon source. Glucose was found to enhance sporulation potential but not the degradative potential of the fungi. Identification of biodegradative metabolite was done by using thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Mycodegradative metabolite of 4 Aminophenol was identified as acetaminophen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a toxic xenobiotic compound, the anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the ability of Trametes hirsuta to remove RBBR from the medium was investigated, and the role of adsorption by fungal mycelium and biodegradation by fungal enzymes was evaluated. It was shown that the whole fungal culture was able to remove up to 97% of the dye within the first four hours of incubation. Based on enzymatic activities in the culture broth, laccases were proposed to be the main enzymes contributing to RBBR degradation, and RT-qPCR measurements demonstrated an increase in transcription for the two laccase genes—lacA and lacB. Composite mycelial pellets of T. hirsuta with improved adsorption ability were prepared by adding activated carbon to the growth medium, and the induction of laccase activity by carbon was shown. For composite pellets, the RBBR decolorization degree was about 1.9 times higher at 1 h of incubation compared to carbon-free pellets. Hence, it was shown that using fungal mycelium pellets containing activated carbon can be an effective and economical method of dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, investigating halophilic and halotolerant fungi enzymes has confirmed their significant potential in the biodegradation of crude oil. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the biodegradation of crude oil by halotolerant fungal Embellisia sp. KJ59 and Alternaria sp. KJ66. The fungal strains were isolated on Czapek Dox Agar (CDA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), and malt extract agar (MEA) containing 10% NaCl. Seven strains that could grow in salinity, ranging from 0 to 17% were selected. Out of the seven isolates, isolates KJ59 and KJ66 were selected as superior strains because they were more efficient in the biodegradation of crude oil on Minimal Salt Medium containing 1% crude oil and different salinity. The isolates were identified as Embellisia sp. and Alternaria sp. based on its nucleotide sequence of internal transcribed spacer gene. They could biodegrade petroleum, ranging from 81.3 to 95.1% in NaCl concentrations of 0, 2.5, and 5% on PDB over a period of 14 days. Pyrene removal by these strains was over 88.3% in saline and non-saline MSM containing 100 mg L−1 pyrene. Finally, Embellisia sp. KJ59 and Alternaria KJ66 were introduced fungal strains for crude oil biodegradation as the sole or supplementary carbon source in the presence of different salt concentrations. Furthermore, they are potential fungal strains for bioremediation of crude oil in non-saline and contaminated saline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) pollution is a major concern in many developing nations of the world. Hence, there is a need for the development of an environmentally safe and cost-effective method for the clean-up of contaminated environments. The present study investigated the tolerance of presumptively identified fungal species isolated from 5 different dumpsite soils to Pb concentrations 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 5000, and 10000 mg/L. The identity of strains exhibiting outstanding tolerance was confirmed using molecular technique, and their biosorption capacity at 10000 mg/L was evaluated. FTIR and SEM analyses were performed on the Pb2+ untreated and treated fungal biomasses. A total of 17 fungal isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus Alternaria, Chrysosporium, and Penicillium were obtained. All the fungi were resistant to the test concentrations of Pb2+ except Chrysosporium sp. (at 5000 mg/L and 10000 mg/L) and Alternaria sp. (at 1500 mg/L, 5000 mg/L, and 10000 mg/L). Four isolates molecularly identified as A. awamori OP341445 and OP341446 and A. niger OP342447 and OP341448 recorded outstanding tolerance (> 1). Biosorption capacity was at its peak on day 5 except in OP34148, day 10 with a value of 97.82 mg/g. The Pb2+ removal rate was at equilibrium on day 5 (≈86%) except for OP41447 and OP41448 (≈87%) on day 15. FTIR analysis reveals the involvement of functional groups O-H, C-H, N-H, O=C=O, C≡C, N=C=S, C=C, N-O, C-N, and S=O in the biosorption process. SEM showed distortion in the cellular structure of the fungi. These results indicated the lead remediation potential of the fungal strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination constitutes a significant threat to the health of soil ecosystems in terms of complexity, toxicity, and recalcitrance. Among all contaminants, aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons (APH) are of particular concern due to their abundance and persistence in the environment and the need of remediation technologies to ensure their removal in an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable way. Soil remediation technologies presently available on the market to tackle soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons (PH) include landfilling, physical treatments (e.g., thermal desorption), chemical treatments (e.g., oxidation), and conventional bioremediation. The first two solutions are costly and energy-intensive approaches. Conversely, bioremediation of on-site excavated soil arranged in biopiles is a more sustainable procedure. Biopiles are engineered heaps able to stimulate microbial activity and enhance biodegradation, thus ensuring the removal of organic pollutants. This soil remediation technology is currently the most environmentally friendly solution available on the market, as it is less energy-intensive and has no detrimental impact on biological soil functions. However, its major limitation is its low removal efficiency, especially for long-chain hydrocarbons (LCH), compared to thermal desorption. Nevertheless, the use of fungi for remediation of environmental contaminants retains the benefits of bioremediation treatments, including low economic, social, and environmental costs, while attaining removal efficiencies similar to thermal desorption. Mycoremediation is a widely studied technology at lab scale, but there are few experiences at pilot scale. Several factors may reduce the overall efficiency of on-site mycoremediation biopiles (mycopiles), and the efficiency detected in the bench scale. These factors include the bioavailability of hydrocarbons, the selection of fungal species and bulking agents and their application rate, the interaction between the inoculated fungi and the indigenous microbiota, soil properties and nutrients, and other environmental factors (e.g., humidity, oxygen, and temperature). The identification of these factors at an early stage of biotreatability experiments would allow the application of this on-site technology to be refined and fine-tuned. This review brings together all mycoremediation work applied to aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons (APH) and identifies the key factors in making mycoremediation effective. It also includes technological advances that reduce the effect of these factors, such as the structure of mycopiles, the application of surfactants, and the control of environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large volume of wastewater is generated by tannery industry. The wastewater generated in the form of effluent contains heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, and other pollutants. The heavy metals are toxic chemicals released into the water bodies and contaminate soil and other related parts of the environment. In the study, tannery effluents were collected from Challawa industrial area, Kano, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters were determined in which pH, DO, BOD, TSS, electric conductivity and turbidity were assessed, while the heavy metal such as Cd, Cr, and Pb were all found above permitted limits, which indicate the levels of contamination by toxic materials in the tannery effluent. Bioremediation process involves use of microbes to convert harmful chemical substances into harmless. In the present study, two tolerant fungal isolates Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus were obtained from the enriched effluent which were further tested individually and together in the form of a consortium. The highest biosorptions of metal ions were obtained as 93.28% of Cd, 89.41% of Cr, and 97.13% of Pb at 144 h, indicative of the bioremediation potential of the fungal isolates individually and in the form of a consortium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) are a common component of disposable products such as tapes, labels, and packaging. Such adhesives are generated from fossil-derived monomers and additives and persist in the environment due to their low biodegradability. Furthermore, they can interfere with the recycling and remediation of products they interact with, such as plastic and paper products. Although touted as a promising remedy to these issues, adhesive polymers generated using renewable and degradable monomers tend to fall short regarding performance and cost. This study reports on the fungal degradation behaviors of hybrid PSAs copolymerized mainly from traditional acrylics and lactide-based macromonomers. These structures provide high performance at a reasonable cost and represent an alternative approach to addressing environmental concerns. Evaluating the biodegradability of these hybrid PSAs involved solid and liquid cultures using 53 unique fungal species. Nearly 50% (n = 23) of the screened species showed PSA-degrading capacities of varying degrees, including Trametes versicolor and Pestalotiopsis microspora, providing roughly complete (> 96%) polymer removal in liquid cultures. Fungal degradation of cast adhesive films was monitored using evolved CO2 and mass loss and confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and spectral analysis (FTIR). Enzyme assays, namely laccases, lipases, and proteases, showed a high correlation with the observed biodegradation rates, suggesting that hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes were likely factors driving latex degradation. These results demonstrate that the high-performing hybrid formulation is degradable by fungi. While a portion of the studied adhesive was synthesized using petroleum-derived monomers, this could serve as a bridge technology, helping to usher in more sustainable disposable consumer products until a time comes when all components are renewably sourced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrialization leads to synthesis of many xenobiotic organic compounds, which has an adverse effect on the environment. The Rhodamine B is a xanthene class dye having a carcinogenic, mutagenic and fluorescent properties. Rhodamine B's increased toxicity causes developmental, neurological, skin-related, and many other forms of cancer even at low concentrations. This research assessed the microbial degradation of Rhodamine B through fungal cultures. The potent culture were screened and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus isolate P5. After the optimization with one factor at a time, 97.28% decolorization of Rhodamine B was obtained at pH 6.5, 25 °C with cellulose as carbon and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as nitrogen source with 5% inoculum at 10 ppm dye concentration. The statistical study was performed with response surface methodology followed Box–Behnken design. Four different parameters were selected and 28 combinations were tested for obtaining maximum Rhodamine B decolorization. Results found that the p-value < 0.05 means model was significant, and Rhodamine B concentration and pH were significant parameters for the research. The LC–MS analysis of metabolites reveals that Rhodamine B dye was degraded into N-diethyl-N′-ethyl rhodamine, N-ethyl rhodamine, butane 1,3-diol, propane 1,2,3-triol, hydroquinone and propionic acid by A. fumigatus isolate P5. As per the investigation, A. fumigatus have a potency to degrade a Rhodamine B efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the ability of Pleurotus eryngii fungus to absorb lead and cadmium from industrial wastewater. After culturing the fungus on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium containing 0 (control), 150 mg L−1, 250 mg L−1, and 350 mg L−1 concentrations of lead and cademium for 30 days, the mycelia were isolated from the culture medium and their extracts were used to measure protein content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Also, heavy metal contents were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry using flame photometry. Results showed that the growth of mycelia was significantly affected by different concentrations of the two heavy metals. High tolerance of heavy metal pollution in the culture media and the ability to accumulate lead and cademium confirmed that Pleurotus eryngii is a favorable option for mycoremediation. Also, molecular studies for fungal sequencing were investigated using the trench method, the sequence of the fungus was recorded in the gene bank, and finally the fungus was identified in the study. Key points: Mycoremediation is a fast and low-cost heavy metal removal solutiok The proposed process does not add any harmful substances to the environment after cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoremediation uses mushroom forming fungi for remediation of sites contaminated with biotic and abiotic contaminants. The root-like hyphae of many fungi, the mycelia, have been used to remediate soil and water. In this study mushroom mycelia biofilters were evaluated for remediation efficacy of wetland water polluted with crow feces containing antibiotic resistant (AMR) bacteria. Three strains of fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus, Stropharia rugosoannulata, and Pleurotus pulmonarius, were allowed to develop dense mycelia for 3-5 weeks on wood chips within cylindrical jars. Biofilter jars were incubated with wetland water (WW) obtained from a crow roost area that was additionally spiked with AMR bacteria isolated from previous crow fecal collections. E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Campylobacter jejuni, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis were added at concentrations of 1,500-3,500 CFU/100 ml. Remediation was calculated from bacterial counts or gene copy numbers (GCN), before and after passage of water through jars. Stropharia and P. pulmonarius biofilters remediated all bacteria, but Klebsiella, in the range of 43-78%, after 1 h. Incubation of water for 24 h showed Stropharia remediation to be superior relative to other tested fungi. Percent remediation varied as follows: S. aureus-100%, E. faecium-97%, C. jejuni-59%, P. aeruginosa-54%, E. coli-65% and S. enteritidis-27%. The mechanism of remediation was tested by removing the mycelium from the biofilter column after passage of water, followed by extraction of DNA. Association of bacterial DNA with the mycelia was demonstrated by qPCR for all bacteria, except S. aureus and Salmonella. Depending on the bacteria, the GCN ranged from 3,500 to 54,000/250 mg of mycelia. Thus, some of the ways in which mycelia biofilters decrease bacteria from water are through bio-filtration and bio-absorption. Active fungal growth and close contact with bacteria appear necessary for removal. Overall these results suggest that mushroom mycelia biofilters have the potential to effectively remediate water contaminated with pathogenic and AMR bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoremediation, a subset of bioremediation, is considered an advanced method to eliminate environmental contaminations. To identify tolerant fungi to copper contamination and study the related gene expression, sampling was carried out from the soil of "Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine," which is one of the biggest open-cast copper mines in the world. A total of 71 fungal isolates were obtained and purified. Afterward, the inhibitory effect of different concentrations (1000, 1500, 3500, 4000, and 5500 ppm) of copper sulfate on mycelial growth was evaluated. Results indicated that only 5500 ppm of copper sulfate inhibited fungal growth compared to the control. Based on the bioassay experiments, three isolates including S3-1, S3-21, and S1-7, which were able to grow on solid and broth medium containing 5500 ppm of copper sulfate at different pH conditions, were selected and identified using molecular approaches. Also, laccase and metallothionein gene expression has been assessed in these isolates. According to the molecular identification using ITS1-5.8S- ITS2 region, isolates S3-1 and S1-7 were identified as Pleurotus eryngii, and isolate S3-21 belonged to the genus Sarocladium. In addition, P. eryngii showed laccase gene expression reduction after 8 days of exposure to copper sulfate. While in the genus Sarocladium, it increased (almost 2 times) from 6 to 8 days. Besides, metallothionein gene expression has increased from 6 to 8 days of copper sulfate treatment compared to the control which reveals its role in copper tolerance of all studied isolates. In this study, Pleurotus eryngii and Sarocladium sp. are introduced as heavy metal tolerant fungi and the related gene expression to copper tolerance was studied for the first time in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current industrial and human activities scenario has accelerated the widespread use of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), which can be found in everyday products, including plastic containers, bottles, toys, cosmetics, etc., but can pose a severe risk to human health and the environment. In this regard, fungal bioremediation appears as a green and cost-effective approach to removing pollutants from water resources. Besides, immobilizing fungal cells onto nanofibrous membranes appears as an innovative strategy to improve remediation performance by allowing the adsorption and degradation to occur simultaneously. Herein, we developed a novel nanostructured bioremediation platform based on polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane (PAN NFM) as supporting material for immobilizing an endophytic fungus to remove bisphenol A (BPA), a typical EDC. The endophytic strain was isolated from Handroanthus impetiginosus leaves and identified as Phanerochaete sp. H2 by molecular methods. The successful assembly of fungus onto the PAN NFM surface was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compared with free fungus cells, the PAN@H2 NFM displayed a high BPA removal efficiency (above 85%) at an initial concentration of 5 ppm, suggesting synergistic removal by simultaneous adsorption and biotransformation. Moreover, the biotransformation pathway was investigated, and the chemical structures of fungal metabolites of BPA were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - high-resolution mass (UHPLC-HRMS) analysis. In general, our results suggest that by combining the advantages of enzymatic activity and nanofibrous structure, the novel platform has the potential to be applied in the bioremediation of varied EDCs or even other pollutants found in water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidental oil leaks and spills often cause server soil pollution, and in situ remediation is a powerful and economical treatment technology. While during in situ remediation process, unpredicted migration of petroleum hydrocarbon in heterogeneous soil will lead to a long-term source of persistent aquifer contamination. To reduce the migration of petroleum hydrocarbon and effectively improve the in situ remediation efficiency, herein, fungal biomineralization strategy was proposed for the immobilization of petroleum contaminants. A ureolytic fungi strain with crude oil-degradation ability was screened and identified as Chaetomium globosum. When incubated in medium containing Ca2+ and crude oil, a mineral corona with spiny nanoparticles was formed at the edge of oil and the interface characters were analyzed using fluorescent pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) sensing films, respectively. Results indicated that biominerals preferred to aggregate around the edge of crude oil, providing favorable microenvironment for fungal growth and then leading to the increase of pH in the microenvironment, eventually accompanied by the formation of mineral corona. The mineral corona with numerous nanoparticles may act as a solid and stable shell, limiting or reducing the mobility of crude oil, and providing enough time for fungal biodegradation. After 28 days incubation, oil-contaminated soil treated with fungal biomineralization showed better immobilization ability for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) under simulated acid-rain condition and higher TPH removal efficiency. This is the first demonstration for the immobilization of oil through fungal biomineralized nanoparticles, thus providing a novel strategy for the in situ remediation of oil-contaminated sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoremediation uses mushroom forming fungi for remediation of sites contaminated with biotic and abiotic contaminants. The root-like hyphae of many fungi, the mycelia, have been used to remediate soil and water. In this study mushroom mycelia biofilters were evaluated for remediation efficacy of wetland water polluted with crow feces containing antibiotic resistant (AMR) bacteria. Three strains of fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus, Stropharia rugosoannulata, and Pleurotus pulmonarius, were allowed to develop dense mycelia for 3-5 weeks on wood chips within cylindrical jars. Biofilter jars were incubated with wetland water (WW) obtained from a crow roost area that was additionally spiked with AMR bacteria isolated from previous crow fecal collections. E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Campylobacter jejuni, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis were added at concentrations of 1,500–3,500 CFU/100 ml. Remediation was calculated from bacterial counts or gene copy numbers (GCN), before and after passage of water through jars. Stropharia and P. pulmonarius biofilters remediated all bacteria, but Klebsiella, in the range of 43-78%, after 1 h. Incubation of water for 24 h showed Stropharia remediation to be superior relative to other tested fungi. Percent remediation varied as follows: S. aureus-100%, E. faecium-97%, C. jejuni-59%, P. aeruginosa-54%, E. coli-65% and S. enteritidis-27%. The mechanism of remediation was tested by removing the mycelium from the biofilter column after passage of water, followed by extraction of DNA. Association of bacterial DNA with the mycelia was demonstrated by qPCR for all bacteria, except S. aureus and Salmonella. Depending on the bacteria, the GCN ranged from 3,500 to 54,000/250 mg of mycelia. Thus, some of the ways in which mycelia biofilters decrease bacteria from water are through bio-filtration and bio-absorption. Active fungal growth and close contact with bacteria appear necessary for removal. Overall these results suggest that mushroom mycelia biofilters have the potential to effectively remediate water contaminated with pathogenic and AMR bacteria.

The treatment of azo dye effluent from the dyeing process, as well as the sustainable development of the environment, can all be achieved through the use of green mycoremediation. In this in vitro study, Trichothecium roseum was isolated by the sedimentation technique from the environment of an unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pipe manufacturing plant and used to decolourize and optimise the biosorption percentage of Azo Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye. T. roseum was also used to test the decolourization percentage of the dyes Lanasyn Navy M-DNL, Isolan Black 2S-LDN, and Isolan Yellow 2S-GLN. The outcomes showed that Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye has the highest decolourization percentage (94%). Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye was also found to be adsorbed onto the surface of T. roseum using scan electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy investigations. Under ideal optimisation parameters, the biosorption percentage of Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye by beads of immobilised T. roseum cells was 96%, 97%, 96%, 97%, and 96%, respectively, for beads number 60, fresh weight 1 g, incubation temperature 25 °C, pH 6, dye concentrations 10 mg/l, and sucrose concentrations 10 g/l. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms show good agreement between the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption process. Also, the elution cycle was found to be effective enough to be employed for five cycles using sixty beads of immobilised T. roseum cells. The current study suggests that T. roseum is an influencer of Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye biosorption to create a successful green strategy for handling Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye-contaminated effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to identify the indigenous fungal strains which could possibly be applied to the biore-mediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. The contaminated soil samples of Korangi Industrial Estate Karachi were found to have total concentration of Cu 1.044 mgL1, and Pb 0.631 mgL–1. A total of eight indigenous strains of the fungus were isolated and screened for bioremediation capacity from heavy metals-contaminated soil. For the bioremediation of Lead (Pb) these same indigenous eight fungal strains were used for biological remediation. All the fungal isolated with enhanced bioremediation capability were through phenotypic and genotypical characterization. The topology of the phylograms established that the fungal isolates used in this study were allocated to: K1 (Penicillium notatum), K2 (Aspergillus parasiticus), K3 (Aspergillus fumigatus), K4 (Aspergillus flavus), K5 (Aspergillus terries), K6 (Fusarium solani), K7 (Penicillium chrysogenum), K8 (Aspergillus niger), K9 (Penicillium piceum) and K10 (Penicillium restrictum). Thus, K8 fungal isolate was found to be more efficient with maximum bioremediation capacity, for copper and lead removal efficiency, and selected for FTIR and SEM to find out the uptake of Cu and Pb which of the functional groups are involved, and further to detect the effects of bioleaching of both heavy metals on to the surface of K8 fungus biomass. The current study indicates that indigenous fungal isolates could be used with high potency to remediate or clean up the heavy metals-contaminated soil either by the technique of in situ or ex-situ bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rambutan peel is a by-product with a high quantity of ellagitannins. When ellagitannins are biodegraded, they produce ellagic acid. This work aimed to extract ellagitannins from rambutan peel and make a solid-state fermentation (SSF) to identify which enzymes are involved in the biodegradation of ellagitannins. Extraction of rambutan ellagitannins (RE) was done by microwave/ultrasound technology, isolated by column chromatography with Amberlite XAD-16 resin, and characterized by HPLC-MS. The SSF was done using RE as substrate at three different concentrations (7.5,15, and 22.5 g/L), Aspergillus niger GH1, polyurethane foam as support and Czapeck-dox medium in tray reactors. Enzymatic activities cellulase, xylanase, polyphenol oxidase, ellagitannase, tannase, β-glucosidase and α-L-arabinofuranosidase were tested, and ellagic acid was quantified. The microwave/ultrasound allowed the extraction of seven ellagitannins where the major compound was geraniin. SSF allows the biodegradation of geraniin into ellagic acid, and ellagitannase was the enzyme with the highest value (25.49 U/L) at the times of maximum accumulation of ellagic acid (6-12 h of fermentation), indicating that this enzyme is directly associated to the process of biodegradation. Finally, the maximum titles of this enzymatic activity (353.27 U/L) were found at fermentation time of 42 h and RE concentration of 22.5 g/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal bioremediation is a very attractive tool to cope with environmental pollution. We aimed to decipher the cadmium (Cd) response of Purpureocillium sp. CB1, isolated from polluted soil, at transcriptome level by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). We used 500 and 2500 mg/L of Cd2+ concentrations at two time points (t6;36). RNA-seq determined 620 genes that were co-expressed in all samples. The highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained within the first six h of exposure to 2500 mg/L of Cd2+. Several genes encoding transcriptional regulators, transporters, heat shock proteins, and oxidative stress-related genes were differentially expressed under Cd2+ stress. Remarkably, the genes that encode salicylate hydroxylase, which is involved in naphthalene biodegradation pathway, were significantly overexpressed. Utilization of diesel as the sole carbon source by CB1 even in the presence of Cd2+ supported concomitant upregulation of hydrocarbon degradation pathway genes. Furthermore, leucinostatin-related gene expression levels increased under Cd2+ stress. In addition, leucinostatin extracts from Cd2+-treated CB1 cultures showed higher antifungal activity than the control. Notably, Cd2+ in CB1 was mainly found as bound to the cell wall, thus confirming its adsorption potential. Cd2+ stress slightly reduced growth and led to mycelial malformation due to Cd2+ adsorption, especially at a concentration of 2500 mg/L at t36. A strong correlation was recorded between RNA-seq and reverse-transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data. In conclusion, the study represents the first transcriptome analysis of Purpureocillium sp. under Cd2+ stress, providing insights into the primary targets for rational engineering to construct strains with remarkable bioremediation potency. Key points: • Upregulation of genes encoding salicylate hydroxylases under Cd2+ stress • Maximum Cd2+ adsorption at 500 mg/L at t36 as tightly bound to the cell wall • Concordant bioremediation potential of CB1 on Cd2+ and diesel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, researchers have focused on containing terrestrial oil pollution. The heterogeneity of soils, with immense microbial diversity, inspires them to transform pollutants and find cost-effective bioremediation methods. In this study, the mycoremediation potentials of five filamentous fungi isolated from polluted soils in Kazakhstan were investigated for their degradability of n-alkanes and branched-chain alkanes as sole carbon and energy sources. Dry weight estimation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) monitored the growth and the changes in the metabolic profile during degradation, respectively. Penicillium javanicum SBUG-M1741 and SBUG-M1742 oxidized medium-chain alkanes almost completely through mono- and di-terminal degradation. Pristane degradation by P. javanicum SBUG-M1741 was >95%, while its degradation with Purpureocillium lilacinum SBUG-M1751 was >90%. P. lilacinum SBUG-M1751 also exhibited the visible degradation potential of tetradecane and phytane, whereby in the transformation of phytane, both the mono- and di-terminal degradation pathways as well as α- and ß-oxidation steps could be described. Scedosporium boydii SBUG-M1749 used both mono- and di-terminal degradation pathways for n-alkanes, but with poor growth. Degradation of pristane by Fusarium oxysporum SBUG-M1747 followed the di-terminal oxidation mechanism, resulting in one dicarboxylic acid. These findings highlight the role of filamentous fungi in containing oil pollution and suggest possible degradation pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of fungal species to produce a wide range of enzymes and metabolites, which act synergistically, makes them valuable tools in bioremediation, especially in the removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) from contaminated environments. PhACs are compounds that have been specifically designed to treat or alter animal physiological conditions and they include antibiotics, analgesics, hormones, and steroids. Their detrimental effects on all life forms have become a source of public outcry due their persistent nature and their uncontrolled discharge into various wastewater effluents, hospital effluents, and surface waters. Studies have however shown that fungi have the necessary metabolic machinery to degrade PhACs in complex environments, such as soil and water, in addition they can be utilized in bioreactor systems to remove PhACs. In this regard, this review highlights fungal species with immense potential in the biodegradation of PhACs, their enzymatic arsenal as well as the probable mechanism of biodegradation. The challenges encumbering the real-time application of this promising bioremediative approach are also highlighted, as well as the areas of improvement and future perspective. In all, this paper points researchers to the fact that fungal bioremediation is a promising strategy for addressing the growing issue of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment and can help to mitigate the negative impacts on ecosystems and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurethanes (PURs) are versatile polymers used in a wide variety of fields, such as the medical, automotive, textile, thermal insulation, and coating industries as well as many everyday objects. Many PURs have applications that require a long service life, sometimes with exposure to aggressive conditions. They can undergo different types of physicochemical and biological degradation, but they are not compostable, and many of them constitute persistent waste in the environment. Although both bacteria and fungi can be involved in the degradation of PURs, fungi are often the main biodegradation agents. The chemical structure of PURs determines their degree of biodegradation. Fungal biodegradation of PURs is linked to the production of enzymes, mainly esterases and proteases, alongside laccases, peroxidases, and tyrosinases, which can modify the structure of polyurethane compounds by forming carbonyl groups. The experimental analysis of the biodegradation of PUR can be carried out by bringing the polymer into contact with a mold in pure culture or with a microbial consortium. Then, global measurements can be taken, such as weight loss, tensile tests, or the ability of microorganisms to grow in the presence of PUR as the sole carbon source. The analysis of the chemical structure of the polymer and its degradation products after fungal growth can confirm biodegradation and specify the mechanism. The main avenues of future research are directed towards the development of fully biodegradable PURs and, on the contrary, towards the development of PURs that are more resistant to degradation phenomena, in particular biodegradation, for applications where the material is in contact with living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioremediation is one of the most effective approaches to eliminate or reduce soil contamination. Samples were collected from petroleum-contaminated soil in Oil Refinery Plant in Isfahan, Iran. The soil samples were cultured and the isolates were identified by polymerase chain reaction method. Total petroleum hydrocarbons assessment and measurement of the absorbance at 420 nm were used to determine the capability of fungi for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Five isolates of fungi were purified from petroleum-contaminated soils. The oil degrading fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Penicillium sp., Penicillium chrysogenum, and Mucor circinelloides. All isolates had mycoremediation activity among which, Aspergillus niger, Mucor circinelloides, and Penicillium sp. had the highest potential to reduce total petroleum hydrocarbons (85%, 64%, and 53%, respectively) during 3 months. In addition, biosurfactant-producing ability was found only in these three isolates. The A. niger isolate had a high ability in hydrocarbons removal and, the P. chrysogenum isolate had significant ability in biosurfactant production, they can be applied in the bioremediation of contaminated soil in microbial consortia. The use of native microorganisms living in contaminated soils, especially fungi, have a high efficiency in removing contaminants of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the pharmaceutical micropollutants with a detrimental effect on the environment is paracetamol. Mycoremediation of the pollutants is a widely accepted concept based on cost and ecofriendly nature. Fungi isolated from pharmaceutical industry effluent have been used to target the biodegradation of paracetamol. The fungus's internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1) sequencing matched that of Cladosporium alboflavescens (GenBank accession number OQ977005) by 99.81%. The strain demonstrated 89% biodegradation of paracetamol (1000 ppm) after 96 hours of incubation with 4-aminophenol as the predominant biodegradative metabolite, according to the spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The half-life of 1.44 days and simple first order kinetics were proposed by the Computer Assisted Kinetic Evaluation (CAKE) tool used to examine the biodegradation kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]