Removal of phenolic compounds in water using Coriolus versicolor grown on wheat bran

Culture filtrate extracted from Coriolus versicolor grown on wheat bran supplemented with yeast extract was used to remove a range of phenolic compounds. The removal was due to the presence of laccase. Mn-dependent peroxidase was also present but was strongly inactivated by the phenolic compounds investigated, suggesting it may not be involved in the removal process. Laccase was also inactivated to some degree. The effect of the position of substitution of chlorine on the benzene ring and ifs influence on the removal was examined Phenolic compounds with chlorine substitutions in ortho and para positions were easily attacked by the enzyme unlike compounds with substitutions in the meta position. In addition, the effect of solution oxygen concentration on the removal of phenolic compounds was studied. An increase in dissolved oxygen concentration resulted in increased removal efficiency. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.