Utilization of fungi for biotreatment of raw wastewaters

Abstract

Fungal biomasses are capable of treating metal-contaminated effluents with efficiencies several orders of magnitude superior to activated carbon (F-400) or the industrial resin Dowex-50. Additionally, fungal biomasses are susceptible to engineering improvements and regeneration of their capabilities. With regard to organic pollutants, excessive nutrients and dyes, fungi can remove them from wastewaters, leading to a decrease in their toxicities. However, the detoxification rates seem to be dependent on media and culture conditions. The postreatement by anaerobic bioprocesses of effluents that have been pretreated with fungi can lead to higher biogas than the original effluents. In addition to the degradation of organic pollutants, fungi produce added-value products such as enzymes (LiP, MnP, Lacc, amylase, etc.) and single-cell protein (SCP). Most research on fungal capacities to purify polluted effluents has been performed on a laboratory scale, hence there is a need to extend such research to pilot scale and to apply it to industrial processes.

Growth Inhibition of Aspergillus Ochraceus ZMPBF 318 and Penicillium Expansum ZMPBF 565 by Four Essential Oils

“…Fungi are a common cause of food spoilage. Among the leading food and feed contaminant are some Aspergillus species (22)(23)(24). Aspergillus fl avus and Aspergillus parasiticus produce afl atoxins in food and feedstuffs (25).…”

Utilization of the White-rot Fungus, Trametes menziesiifor Landfill Leachate Treatment

“…White-rot fungi have been shown to degrade a wide variety of environmental pollutants, including PCP (Walter et al 2005). Coulibaly et al (2003) noted that white-rot fungi have been attracting a growing interest for the biotreatment (removal or destruction) of waste water ingredients such as metals, inorganic nutrients and organic compound. This may be due to their capacities to adapt to severe environmental constraints.…”

Treatment of landfill leachate by immobilized Ganoderma australe and crude enzyme

“…The results obtained show that white-rot fungi G. australe is capable of removing BOD 5 and COD, but not NH 3 -N. White-rot fungus P. chrysosporium has been used for the biological removal of organics measured as COD 20 . Whiterot fungi have been attracting a growing interest for the biotreatment (removal or destruction) of waste water ingredients such as metals, inorganic nutrients, and organic compound due to their ability to adapt to severe environmental constraints 21,22 . Based on this finding, white-rot fungi G. australe demonstrated effectiveness for organic removal in leachate treatment 23,24 .…”