Biodegradation of Pyrene by the White Rot Fungus , Irpex lacteus

Abstract The removal percentage (94%) of 100 ppm of pyrene in a shaken culture of white rot fungus, Irpex lacteus, was much higher than that in a static culture (37.9%). Over 90% of the pyrene disappeared with I. lacteus grown at $15-27^{\circ}C$, yet less than 50% was removed at $37^{\circ}C$. The transformation rates of pyrene ($4.5-5.0{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml/day$) were not very different among cultures with 5- 30% inoculum sizes, and over 90% of the 100 ppm pyrene was removed in every case during 20 days of incubation. The biodegradation of pyrene by I. lacteus was confirmed by measuring the $CO_2$ evolved from the mineralization of the added pyrene. The activity of lignin peroxidase (LiP), which is known to be involved in the biodegradation by white rot fungi, was high between 8 to 12 days of incubation. Although manganese peroxidase activity was demonstrated during the same period as LiP, its activity was quite low, and no laccase activity was detected. Even though the activity patterns of ligninolytic enzymes did not coincide with the pyrene removal, this study shows that I. lacteus has a high biodegrading capability and can be a candidate for the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants.inants.