White rot fungi, which utilize lignin as an energy source, possess the ability to degrade a wide spectrum of environmental pollutants using peroxidases enzymes. Because of their unique biodegradative abilities, white rot fungi are considered potentially useful microorganisms for bioremediation applications.
What are some examples of bioremediation?
In situ bioremediation involves treating the contaminated material at the site while ex situ involves the removal of the contaminated material to be treated elsewhere. Some examples of bioremediation technologies are bioventing, landfarming, bioreactor, composting, bioaugmentation, rhizofiltration, and biostimulation.
Which fungi is used in bioremediation?
Majority of the studies have demonstrated the bioremediation potential of white-rot fungi; Phanerochaete chysosporium, Trametes versicolor, Bjerkandera adjusta and Pleurotus sp., by virtue of producing different ligninolytic enzymes such as laccases and peroxidases [19].
What is white rot fungi role in the ecosystem?
White-rot fungi are important wood-decomposing organisms in forest ecosystems. Their ability to colonize and decompose woody resources may be strongly influenced by wood-inhabiting bacteria that grow on easily utilizable compounds e.g. oligomers of wood-polymers released by fungal enzymes.
Which group of fungi can degrade the largest range of pollutants?
White-rot fungi, especially the basidiomycetes, are the most tolerant microorganisms to high concentrations of pollutants, giving their exceptional abilities for biodegradation in aqueous environments and soil and have been investigated extensively for their bioremediation capacities.
What is the role of bacteria in bioremediation?
Principle of bioremediation Microorganisms are suited to the task of contaminant destruction because they possess enzymes that allow them to use environmental contaminants as a food. For bioremediation to be effective, microorganisms must enzymatically attack the pollutants and convert them to harmless products.
How does white rot fungi degrade lignin?
Lignin degradation involves the activity of enzymes produced by white rot fungi. These enzymes, called lignases, include lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases and laccase7. Ligninolytic activity is associated with the production of extracellular enzymes by the white rot fungi that degrade lignin.
Where is white rot fungi?
Although white-rot fungi are predominantly found in hardwood, also litter-decomposing fungal species (e.g., Agrocybe praecox, Stropharia coronilla) cause white-rot type decay.
What is the difference between white rot and brown rot fungi?
White-rot fungi digest lignin by the secretion of enzymes and give a bleached appearance to wood, from undissolved cellulose, hence their name. In contrast, brown-rot fungi degrade cellulose, leaving lignin as a typically brownish deposit.
Why are white-rot fungi so effective at degrading organic compounds?
That white-rot fungi are so effective in degrading a wide range of organic molecules is due to their release of extra-cellular lignin-modifying enzymes, with a low substrate-specificity, so they can act upon various molecules that are broadly similar to lignin.
Why is Phanerochaete chrysosporium an ideal model for bioremediation by fungi?
The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium is an ideal model for bioremediation by fungi, since it is more efficient than other fungi or microorganisms in degrading toxic or insoluble materials.
Why are fungi the only organisms that decompose wood?
Indeed, fungi are the only organisms on Earth that can decompose wood. The mycelium exudes powerful extracellular enzymes and acids that are able to decompose lignin and cellulose, the two essential components of plant fibre. As the fungus breaks down wood and leaves, a rich material called humus is formed.
