Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by white rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium in sterile and unsterile soil

Ligninolytic white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, isolated from soil sample of petroleum refinery, was used for degradation of five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs: acenaphthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene), simultaneously and individually in sterile and unsterile soil. For maximum biodegradation, after 42 days of incubation, optimum conditions were pH 7.0, 30 degrees C and 5 mu g/g PAHs concentration. In sterile soil, degradation in 42 days of incubation of five PAHs was as follows: phenanthrene, 98.96; anthracene, 92.6; pyrene, 92.2; acenaphthene, 83.8; and fluoranthene, 79.8%. In unsterile soil, PAHs degradation was low (38.94-62.89%).