Influence of cultivation conditions on pyrene degradation by the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus D1

Abstract

For the first time the dependence of completeness of pyrene degradation by the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus D1 on cultivation conditions was found. In Kirk’s medium about 65.6 ± 0.9% of the initial pyrene was metabolized after 3 weeks, with pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol accumulating. This process was accompanied by laccase production only. In basidiomycetes rich medium, P. ostreatus D1 metabolized up to 89.8 ± 2.3% of pyrene within 3 weeks without pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol accumulation throughout the time of cultivation. Phenanthrene and phthalic acid were identified as the metabolites produced from pyrene degradation under these conditions. Accumulation of phenanthrene with its subsequent disappearance was observed. One more metabolite probably was the product of phenanthrene degradation. Pyrene metabolism in basidiomycetes rich medium was accompanied first by laccase and tyrosinase production and later by versatile peroxidase production. The cell-associated activities of laccase, tyrosinase, and versatile peroxidase were found. The data obtained indicate that both enzymes (laccase and versatile peroxidase) are necessary for complete degradation of pyrene. Furthermore, both cell-associated and extracellular laccases can catalyse the first stages of pyrene degradation, and versatile peroxidase can be necessary for oxidation of the resulting metabolites.