Degradation of 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by wood-rotting fungi, screened by dioxin degrading ability

One hundred thirty-six strains of wood-rot fungi (74 strains, 66 species of 19 genera, and 62 unidentified strains) were screened for the dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) decreasing activity. It was observed that 20% of additional DD (I pmol) disappeared in the cultures of eight strains belonging to four genera (Aleurodiscus (one strain), Ceriporia (one strain), Phanerochaete (one strain), Phlebia (five strams)) and four unidentified strains. These 12 fungal strains were used for the examination of the degradation of [U-C-14]2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7-diCDD). The fungi unidentified strain MZ-227, Phlebia sp. MG-60 and Phlebia lindtneri showed higher cumulative (CO2)-C-14 evolution rates than the other nine fungi. MZ-227, Phlebia sp. MG-60, and P. lindtneri converted 250 nmol of 2,7-diCDD to 196, 155 and 149 nmol of (CO2)-C-14, respectively, during a 30-day incubation period. (C) 2002 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.