Selection of white-rot fungi to formulate complex and coated pellets for Reactive Orange 165 decolourization

• Published in: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 15; no. 6
• Main Authors: Elgueta, Sebastián, Rubilar, Olga, Lima, Nelson, Diez, M. Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Católica de Valparaíso 04-07-2014
• Subjects: complex pellets; ligninolytic enzymes; RO165 decolourization; white-rot fungi
• ISSN: 0717-3458; 0717-3458

Abstract Six strains of white-rot fungi isolated from southern Chile
were evaluated for their ergosterol/biomass correlation and
ligninolytic potential in solid medium to formulate pellets for
Reactive Orange 165 (RO165) decolourization. The fungus Anthracophyllum
discolor was selected to formulate complex pellets (fungal mycelium,
sawdust, and activated carbon), coated pellets (complex pellet +
alginate) and simple pellets (fungal mycelium). The activity of
ligninolytic enzymes (laccase, manganese peroxidase,
manganese-independent peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase) was evaluated
in both the complex and coated pellets in modified Kirk medium, and the
morphology of the pellets was studied using scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). Complex pellets of A. discolor showed a higher
enzymatic production mainly MnP (38 U L-1 at day 15) compared to coated
and simple pellets. Examinations using SEM showed that both pellets
produced a black core that was entrapped by a layer of fungal mycelium.
Decolourization of RO165 was demonstrated with all the pellets
formulated. However, the highest and fastest decolourization was
obtained with complex pellets (100% at day 8). Therefore, complex
pellets of A. discolor can be used for the biological treatment of
wastewater contaminated with RO165.