Presence Of Benzo Research Articles

Negative effect of cyclin D1 overexpression on recurrence-free survival in stage II-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma and its expression modulation by vorinostat in vitro.

BackgroundThis study was aimed at identifying prognostic biomarkers for stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to histology and at investigating the effect of vorinostat on the expression of these biomarkers.MethodsExpression levels of cyclin D1, cyclin A2, cyclin E, and p16 proteins that are involved in the G1-to-S phase progression of cell cycle were analyzed using immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 372 samples of stage II-IIIA NSCLC. The effect of vorinostat on the expression of these proteins, impacts on cell cycle, and histone modification was explored in lung cancer cells.ResultsAbnormal expression of cyclin A2, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p16 was found in 66, 47, 34, and 51 % of 372 cases, respectively. Amongst the four proteins, only cyclin D1 overexpression was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.87; 95 % confidence interval = 1.12 – 2.69, P = 0.02) in adenocarcinoma but not in squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.44). Vorinostat inhibited cell cycle progression to the S-phase and induced down-regulation of cyclin D1 in vitro. The down-regulation of cyclin D1 by vorinostat was comparable to a siRNA-mediated knockdown of cyclin D1 in A549 cells, but vorinostat in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene showed a differential effect in different lung cancer cell lines. Cyclin D1 down-regulation by vorinostat was associated with the accumulation of dimethyl-H3K9 at the promoter of the gene.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that cyclin D1 may be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in stage II-IIIA adenocarcinoma of lung and its expression may be modulated by vorinostat.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-2001-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Concentration and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM10 of urban, industrial and semi-urban areas in Malaysia

Particulate matter (PM10) associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air were determined at two sites within the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur (urban, KL) and Petaling Jaya (industrial, PJ), and one site outside the Klang Valley, Bangi (semi-urban, BG). This study aimed to determine the concentration and distribution of PAHs in PM10 and the source of origin through principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratio analysis. This study also assessed the health risk from exposure to airborne BaPeq. PM10 samples were collected on glass fiber filter paper using a High Volume Sampler (HVS) for 24 h between September 2010 and April 2011. The filter papers with PM10 were extracted using dichloromethane-methanol (3:1), and analysis of 16 USEPA priority PAHs was determined using gas chromatography with mass spectra (GC–MS). Health risk assessment was estimated using toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) which quantitatively estimate the exposure risk for age specific group. The results showed that the total PAHs concentrations throughout seasonal monsoons for KL, PJ and BG ranged from 1.33 ng m−3 to 2.97 ng m−3, 2.24 ng m−3 to 4.84 ng m−3 and 1.64 ng m−3 to 3.45 ng m−3 respectively. More than 80% of total PAHs consisted of 5-ring and 6-ring PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IcP), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) and benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BgP). The presence of benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BgP) with high concentration at all locations suggested a source indicator for traffic emission. PCA and diagnostic ratio analysis also suggested substantial contributions from traffic emission with minimal influence from coal combustion and natural gas emissions. The use of total BaPeq concentration provide a better estimation of carcinogenicity activities, where they contributed to more than 50% of the potential health risk. Health risk assessment showed that the estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) from exposure to airborne BaPeq is negligible at all sampling sites for all age specific group.

Characteristics of copper removal and ion release during copper biosorption by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in presence of benzo[a]pyrene

The ability of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was demonstrated to selectively remove Cu2+ from Cu(NO3)2 solution under the circumstance that 1 mg/L benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was either present or not. The removal ratios of 2 and 10 mg/L Cu2+ by 0.25 g/L biosorbent are up to 80% and 49% at 10 min, respectively. The biosorption includes ion exchange, NO3− reduction, ion release, and cell oxidation by Cu2+. BaP does not significantly affect Cu2+ removal and ion release. Although 2 mg/L Cu2+ increases the release of PO43−, K+, NH4+ and Ca2+, 10 mg/L Cu2+ has strong oxidation on cell, and then decreases NO3− reduction and hinders the release of K+, NH4+ and Ca2+. Exogenous cations inhibit the Cu2+ biosorption, while additional anions increase the removal ratios of 10 mg/L Cu2+ from 52% to 88%.

Aged Petroleum-contaminated Soil Restoration and Benzo[a]pyrene Biodegradation

A laboratory study was conducted to enhance the bioremediation rate of aged petroleum-contaminated soil by anaerobic biodegradation and natural attenuation. Extracted contaminants during soil treatment were fractionized and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A significant biodegradation was achieved after a 160-day treatment. The loss of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was 73.6% with an initial TPH content of 2,985 mg kg−1. The losses of saturated and aromatic fractions were 84.7% and 80.9%, respectively, with the polar compounds becoming the dominant component in the residual pollutants. It was observed that naphthalene with a substituent groups can be easily attacked and biodegraded by microbes than that with SS substituent groups. The benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentration was decreased considerably in the presence of benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) during biotreatment. It was proposed that BaP may be biotransformed to BeP by cometabolism, which can be further biodegraded to avoid the damage to microbes caused by the toxicity of BaP.

Copper biosorption and ions release by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene

To investigate metal biosorption in polluted environments where organic and inorganic pollutants coexisted, this study has focused on the removal of Cu(NO3)2 by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Initial pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time and BaP concentration were the significant factors for Cu biosorption. The uptake capacities of 2 and 10mgL−1 Cu(II) by 0.25gL−1S. maltophilia were 7 and 26mgg−1 at 0.5h, respectively. Cu(II) biosorption included bioaccumulation, ions and macromolecules release, Ca2+ and Mg2+ exchange, functional groups attraction, and Cu(II) and NO3- bioreduction. During the biosorption process, S. maltophilia metabolically released K+, and metabolically independently exchanged Mg2+ and Ca2+ for Cu(II) bioaccumulation. When the initial concentration of Cu(II) was 2 or 10mgL−1, the coexisted 1mgL−1 BaP showed no significant influence on Cu(II) biosorption, ions release and cellular morphology.

Impact of coal tar pavement on polycyclic hydrocarbon distribution in lacustrine sediments from non-traditional sources

The evaluation of potential environmental impacts from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is a subject that requires investigation, especially related to emission sources from highway roads with high traffic. In this paper, the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was investigated in the surface sediments from a subtropical lake, located in the south of Brazil and away from urban areas. The results showed that all sediments presented such compounds in significant concentration, ranging from 9.50 to 29.88 μg/g. The highest total concentration was found in those sites close to the highway (bridges) and the deepest area of the lake. Moreover, a high concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of high molecular weight, such as benzo(a)anthracene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene was found. It was laso found that high concentrations might be related to asphalt and coal tar pavement used in the highway construction close to the lake. In addition, the potential capacity of sediment toxicity was compared with values of the interim sediment quality guidelines values. The results indicate that most of the sediment presents concentrations of hydrocarbons above these limits. Only fluoranthene and chrysene were found in concentrations below the guideline values. The concentrations of most of the polycyclic hydrocarbons are higher than the quality guidelines. However, the main concern is associated with the presence of benzo(a)anthracene whose concentration is 416 times higher than the limit establisehed by guidelines. The same observation can be done to traces of benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene, with concentration values of 13 and 1,993 times higher.

Interactions of serum albumins with antitumor agent benzo [a] phenazine—a spectroscopic study

We present an investigation on the site specific interaction of antitumor agent benzo [a] phenazine (BAP) with serum albumins (HSA and BSA) and related photo-physical properties using absorption, emission and lifetime measurements. The absorption and emission measurements reveal that the binding of biomolecule benzo [a] phenazine took place near tryptophan moiety present in sub-domain IIA in serum albumins (HSA and BSA). In the selective excitation of benzo [a] phenazine at 365 nm, it was observed that the ground state of serum albumin quenches the excited benzo [a] phenazine through charge transfer exciplexation. The fluorescence decay analysis of serum albumins in the presence of benzo [a] phenazine shows decrease in lifetime, which confirms that photo-induced electron transfer takes place from serum albumins (HSA and BSA) to BAP. Also a suitable mechanism was proposed for the observed photo-induced electron transfer processes. Binding average distance ( r) between the donor (serum albumins) and acceptor (benzo [a] phenazine) calculated using FRET theory confirmed their high probability of binding interaction.

Evaluation of molluscicidal activities of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids from Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. on snail hosts of Schistosoma japonicum

Three botanical products, including bisulfates of sanguinarine (BSA), bisulfates of chelerythrine (BCHE) and bisulfates of total alkaloids (BTA), were obtained from the fruits of Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. They were evaluated for the molluscicidal activities against snail of Oncomlania hupensis, intermediate host of schistosomiasis. It was shown that the molluscicidal activities of three botanical products were correlated with the presence of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids (sanguinarine and chelerythrine). The three products all exhibited both time- and concentration-dependent toxicity against the snails.The significant LC50 values at 72 h were found to be 0.19 mg/L (BSA), 0.40 mg/L (BTA) and 2.05 mg/L (BCHE), respectively. The results indicated that BTA from M. cordata was a potent molluscicide, since it exhibited high molluscicidal activity and was easy to be produced from the plant with low-cost. Key words: Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br., Oncomelania hupensis, molluscicidal activity, benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid.

Multichannel Capillary Electrophoresis Microdevice and Instrumentation for in Situ Planetary Analysis of Organic Molecules and Biomarkers

The Multichannel Mars Organic Analyzer (McMOA), a portable instrument for the sensitive microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis of organic compounds such as amino acid biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is developed. The instrument uses a four-layer microchip, containing eight CE analysis systems integrated with a microfluidic network for autonomous fluidic processing. The McMOA has improved optical components that integrate 405 nm laser excitation with a linear-scanning optical system capable of multichannel real-time fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. The instrumental limit of detection is 6 pM (glycine). Microfluidic programs are executed to perform the automated sequential analysis of an amine-containing sample in each channel as well as eight consecutive analyses of alternating samples on the same channel, demonstrating less than 1% cross-contamination. The McMOA is used to identify the unique fluorescence spectra of nine components in a PAH standard and then applied to the analysis of a sediment sample from Lake Erie. The presence of benzo[a]pyrene and perylene in this sample is confirmed, and a peak coeluting with anthanthrene is disqualified based on spectral analysis. The McMOA exploits lab-on-a-chip technologies to fully integrate complex autonomous operations demonstrating the facile engineering of microchip-CE platforms for the analysis of a wide variety of organic compounds in planetary exploration.

Distribution, Levels, and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Water Bodies along the Coastal Belt of Ghana

The levels and distribution of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in six water bodies along the coastal belt of Ghana using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC/FID). The average total PAHs recorded are from the Pra estuary, 6.3 μg/L; Benya lagoon, 7.5 μg/L; Sakumono lagoon, 10.1 μg/L; lower Volta estuary, 26.3 μg/L; Keta lagoon, 10.6 μg/L; and Narkwa lagoon, 16.1 μg/L.The 12 PAHs that were well distributed in all the coastal waters analyzed include naphthalene, pyrene, fluorene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acephnaphthalene, acephnaphthene, 1-methylphenanthrene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene, chrysene, biphenyl, and phenanthrene. The presence of benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, and benzo(j,k)fluoranthene in some of the water bodies is a source of concern as they have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as probable human carcinogens. These water bodies are used for fishing and for some domestic purposes by the people living around them, thereby exposing them to some dangers and the risk of getting cancer. The human health cancer risk assessment carried out also indicates that there is the possibility of some users of the water bodies getting cancer in their lifetime.

Time-alignment of bidimensional chromatograms in the presence of uncalibrated interferences using parallel factor analysis: Application to multi-component determinations using liquid-chromatography with spectrofluorimetric detection

A new methodology for the alignment of matrix chromatographic data is proposed, based on the decomposition of a three-way array composed of a test and a reference data matrix using a suitably initialized and constrained parallel factor (PARAFAC) model. It allows one to perform matrix alignment when the test data matrix contains unexpected chemical interferences, in contrast to most of the available algorithms. A series of simulated analytical systems is studied, as well as an experimental one, all having calibrated analytes and also potential interferences in the test samples, i.e., requiring the second-order advantage for successful analyte quantitation. The results show that the newly proposed method is able to properly align the different data matrix, restoring the trilinearity which is required to process the calibration and test data with second-order multivariate calibration algorithms such as PARAFAC. Recent models including unfolded partial least-squares regression (U-PLS) and N-dimensional PLS (N-PLS), combined with residual bilinearization (RBL), are also applied to both simulated and experimental data. The latter one corresponds to the determination of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[ b]fluoranthene and benzo[ k]fluoranthene in the presence of benzo[ j]fluoranthene as interference. The analytical figures of merit provided by the second-order calibration models are compared and discussed.

The Effects of Ambient Particulate Matter on Human Alveolar Macrophage Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses

Epidemiologic and occupational studies demonstrated that ambient particulate matter (PM) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) exert deleterious effects on human cardiopulmonary health, including exacerbation of pre-existing lung disease and development of respiratory infections. The effects of ambient PM on lung cell responsiveness are poorly defined. Human alveolar macrophages (AM) were exposed to SRM 1649 (Washington, DC, urban dust; UD), SRM 2975 (forklift diesel exhaust particles; DEP), and fine or coarse ambient PM collected in Chapel Hill, NC, during the late fall (November) and early summer (June) of 2001–2002. AM were subsequently incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or calcium ionophore A23817 for 6 or 24 h after PM exposure. UD and DEP markedly suppressed release 24 h post-PM exposure. UD exposure significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 release after exposure to 10 ηg/ml LPS. DEP significantly suppressed only TNF-α and IL-6 release. Suppressed cytokine release may also be produced by reduced cellular cytokine production. Data suggested that decreased cytokine release is not produced by the presence of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Comparison of TNF-α release after LPS, PMA, or A23817 revealed that suppressive effects of UD are LPS dependent, whereas inhibitory effects of DEP may work across multiple mechanistic pathways. November and June Chapel Hill PM exposure stimulated TNF-α and IL-8 release before LPS exposure. Fine and coarse November PM exposure markedly suppressed TNF-α release 6 h after LPS stimulation, but appeared to exert a stimulatory effect on IL-8 release 24 h after LPS exposure. June fine and coarse PM suppressed IL-8 release after LPS exposure. Data suggest that seasonal influences on PM composition affect AM inflammatory response before and after bacterial exposure. Overall, delayed or inhibited AM immune responses to LPS after PM exposure suggest human exposure to ambient PM may enhance pulmonary susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Molecularly Imprinted Nanoporous Polyacrylate Surface for Benzo(α)Pyrene Recognition

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized using co-polymerization of methacrylic acid with cross-linking agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of benzo(alpha)pyrene (BAP) followed by the extraction of BAP from cross-linked polymer matrix. The MIP formed by this way contains nanopores, which are geometrically specific to the BAP molecule. BAP belongs to one of the carcinogenic airborne atmospheric pollutants. Morphological characteristics of MIP showed presence of nanopores with an average pore diameter of 27.19 A and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 827.87 +/- 1.63 m2g(-1). The adsorption capacity of BAP onto MIP was determined using equilibrium experiments. The cross-reactivity (CR) experiments were also conducted to found selectivity of BAP in the presence of 5 other polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. The selectivity factors were calculated for MIP, based on experimental data derived from CR studies. It was found that the PAH molecules smaller being in molecular length (pyrene) than BAP, showed higher interference (up to 40%) compared with other PAH compounds. By increasing the concentration of other PAH compounds (100 microg mL(-1)), the selectivity (alpha) of MIP was reduced from 3.5 to 1.6. The value of equilibrium binding constant for BAP, K(E) = 0.236 microg mL(-1), was larger than other PAH compounds (K(E) values range from 0.011 to 0.028 microg mL(-1)). These properties demonstrate that MIP prepared shows greater binding capacity and selectivity due to creation of homogenous nanopores patterned uniformly in the polymer matrix. This method of preparation of ordered materials at micro and nano-scale are useful in the field of nanodevices and sensors for environmental, defense and biomedical applications.

Removal of Benzo[a]pyrene by a fungus Aspergillus sp. BAP14

A fungal strain BAP14 isolated from marine sediments of coast in Xiamen city, was found to have the ability to degrade benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and identified as Aspergillus sp. based on 18S rRNA gene sequence. Aspergillus sp. BAP14 was able to remove about 30 and 60% of BaP with initial concentration of 10 mg l−1 in 3 and 12 days of incubation, respectively. Addition of saccharides and low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons appeared to have effect on the degradation ability, in particularly the addition of lactose and naphthalene. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lipidic particles could be observed in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene based on the morphologic performance of Aspergillus sp. BAP14 through scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively.

The in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction

To evaluate the in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosome status in normozoospermic semen samples of nonsmokers analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Experimental in vitro study. Andrology laboratory. Thirteen proven fertile, normozoospermic, and nonsmoking men. Spermatozoa were washed free of seminal plasma and were treated with different concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and compared with controls treated with medium alone. The benzo[a]pyrene concentrations were: 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 microg/mL. Effect of varying concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosomal reaction. A statistically significant increase in sperm hyperactivation was observed in presence of benzo[a]pyrene at concentrations of >or=50 microg/mL. The result of the acrosome halo test showed that concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene >or=25 microg/mL statistically significantly decreased the percentage of halo formation, indicating an inappropriate (false) acrosome reaction. Benzo[a]pyrene statistically significantly affected sperm functional competence as evidenced by increased hyperactivation as well as premature acrosomal reaction.

Dietary cadmium and benzo(a)pyrene increased intestinal metallothionein expression in the fish Fundulus heteroclitus

Fish were individually fed food pellets containing cadmium, benzo(a)pyrene, or a combination of the two, then analyzed for metallothionein mRNA expression in the intestine, liver, and gill using real-time RT-qPCR. An initial experiment using only cadmium showed that ingestion of pellets varied in individual fish, and estimates of cadmium dose from the numbers of ingested pellets indicated considerable individual variability in cadmium dose. Induction of intestinal metallothionein mRNA was apparent, however, and a linear dose–response relationship was observed for metallothionein expression and cadmium dose in the intestine, but not the other organs, which showed no induction. In a second experiment, the entire daily cadmium dose was provided in a single contaminated pellet that was consumed by all treated fish, effectively eliminating the effect of variable ingestion rates on dose, and the interaction between cadmium and benzo(a)pyrene was also investigated. The intestine was again the primary organ for metallothionein induction by cadmium. When benzo(a)pyrene was administered together with cadmium, induction of metallothionein was potentiated by the presence of benzo(a)pyrene, with the main effect seen in the intestine, where already high levels of induction by cadmium alone increased by 1.74-fold when benzo(a)pyrene was present.

A screen for Benzo(a)pyrene in Fish Samples From Crude Oil Polluted Environments

Several studies have shown that exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene increases the risk of cancer. In this study several fish samples from Niger the Delta region of Nigeria were screened for the presence of Benzo(a)pyrene. The study was carried out using Gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometry detector. Benzo(a)pyrenes in the samples were identified through both retention time match with authentic standards and simultaneous maximization of several major ions from GC/MS data. Perylene-d12 was used as the internal standard for quantitation. Concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the samples ranged from 1.47 to 10.53 µg/kg which is more than WHO recommended maximum allowable concentration. Therefore this study concludes that the population is at an elevated risk of cancer of occurrence.

The association between benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts and body mass index, calorie intake and physical activity

Prior work suggests that body size and fat content may influence carcinogen-DNA adduct levels measured in white blood cells. Here we consider energy balance more broadly by assessing the impact of body mass index (BMI), physical activity and calorie intake on the presence of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA (BP-DNA) adducts in white blood cell DNA. Our cross-sectional study employed subjects from a separately conducted intervention trial. Physical activity and food intake data were collected at 12 and 15 months of follow-up, respectively. BP-DNA adducts were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in white blood cell samples collected at 12 months of follow-up. Complete data on all variables were available from 143 subjects. Logistic regression showed that BMI was inversely associated with the presence of detectable adducts (OR = 0.90, p=0.02), and that hours of moderate-intensity physical activity were positively associated with the presence of detectable adducts (OR = 1.04, p=0.04). These results provide further evidence that body fat content influences carcinogen-DNA adduct levels, probably by altering the distribution of the lipophilic parent compound.

Biodegradation of benzo(a)pyrene by a newly isolatedFusariumsp.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a five-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon produced by the incomplete combustion of organic materials. It is one of the priority pollutants listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This study describes a fungal isolate that is able to biodegrade benzo(a)pyrene. The filamentous fungus, isolated from leaves of Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz., was identified as a Fusarium sp. (strain E033). Fusarium sp. E033 was able to survive in the presence of benzo(a)pyrene concentrations up to 1.2 mM (300 mg L(-1)). Biodegradation experiments using 0.4 mM (100 mg L(-1)) benzo(a)pyrene demonstrated that Fusarium sp. E033 was able to degrade 65-70% of the initial benzo(a)pyrene provided, and two transformation products, a dihydroxy dihydro-benzo(a)pyrene and a benzo(a)pyrene-quinone, were detected within 30 days of incubation at 32 degrees C. The factors affecting biodegradation efficiency were also investigated. While increasing aeration promoted better fungal growth and benzo(a)pyrene biodegradation, increasing the glucose concentration from 5 to 50 mM had an adverse effect on biodegradation. Ethanol and methanol, provided at 5 mM to increase benzo(a)pyrene water solubility, increased the fungal biomass yield but did not promote degradation. The Fusarium sp. E033 isolated in this study can tolerate and degrade relatively high concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene, suggesting its potential application in benzo(a)pyrene bioremediation.

Effect of the high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo[a]pyrene, on the lipid content of Fusarium solani

The purpose of the present paper was to study the effect of the high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo[a]pyrene, on the lipid [fatty acid (FA) and sterol] composition and content of the fungi Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, respectively recognized as good and poor PAH degraders. The major FAs and the major sterol that characterized the tested Fusarium strains were C16:0, C18:1, C18:2, and ergosterol. Lipid profiles of F. solani remained unchanged with the addition of benzo[a]pyrene in the culture media at all concentrations and duration of treatment. However, in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene, significant decreases in FA content, which reached 18 % in young cultures and 28 % in mature colonies, were registered. Similarly, the sterol content of F. solani was reduced by 27 % in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene. In contrast, no modification in lipid profile and lipid content were observed with F. oxysporum, a strain recognized as a low benzo[a]pyrene degrader.