Chapter 16 - The role of white rot fungi in bioremediation

Abstract

White rot fungi species are basidiomycetes with the inherent capacity and capability to degrade lignocelluloses using extracellular enzymes like peroxidase, laccase, and oxidase, producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These microorganisms are utilized during the process of recycling carbon in lignocelluloses which constitute the most available and abundant source of renewable organic materials. Research efforts have observed that the enzymes that degrade lignin present in this group of fungi are nonspecific, as a result they can degrade many man-made compounds including nonlignin materials. Bioremediation is basically the application and utilization of certain biological processes and procedures in the treatment and reduction of environmental pollution. The groups of substances and chemicals that can be detoxified or biologically transformed by these groups of fungi include both natural/organic as well as inorganic pollutants such as toxic metals and hydrocarbons. These fungi can be grown on any carbon source, mostly agricultural wastes, as a substrate. The substrates, which are impregnated/colonized with numerous fungi mycelium including other beneficial microorganisms such as hydrocarbon utilizing fungi and bacteria present in the substrate/compost, can be applied on the polluted soils to be biodegraded or biotransformed into other useful biological products, thereby making the environment safe.