Biodegradation of Pentachlorophenol (PCP) - Treated Ammonium Boxes Using White-Rot Fungi

摘要

The lignin-degrading fungi Phanerochaete chroysosporium, P. sordida, Trameteshirsuta, and Ceriporiopsis subvermispora were evaluated for their ability to decrease the concentration of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and to cause dry weight loss in PCP-treated wood. Hardwood and softwood materials from PCP-treated ammunition boxes that were chipped to pass a 3.8-cm screen were used. All four fungi caused significant weight losses and decreases in the PCP concentration. The largest PCP decrease (84%) was caused by T. hirsuta, and the smallest decrease was caused by C. subvermispora (37%). Decreases of PCP by P. chrysosporium and P. sordida averaged 59% and 57%, respectively. PCP decreases caused by Phanerochaete spp. were not significantly affected by wood type or sterilization and were primarily due to methylation of PCP that resulted in accumulation of pentachloroanisole.