Biodegradation and biotransformation of lindane by DDT-degrading white rot fungi

Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) was used as the substrate for a degradation experiment with the white rot fungi Phlebia brevispora TMIC34596 and Phlebia lindtneri GB1027, which are capable of degrading DDT. Pure culture of both fungi showed that about 40% of lindane was degraded after 7 days of incubation, while over 70% of lindane was degraded after 28 days of incubation. Eight metabolic products such as pentachlorocyclohexanol, dihydroxytetrachlorocyclohexane and trihydroxytrichlorocyclohexane were detected from both fungal cultures using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This is the first report of the biodegradation of lindane through successive Cl/OH substitution pathway by microorganisms.