Biodegradation of Reactive Orange 16 azo dye by simultaneous action of Pleurotus ostreatus and the yeast Candida zeylanoides.

The purpose was to investigate a simultaneous biodegradation of the recalcitrant monoazo dye Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) in a mixed culture consisting of a biofilm of Pleurotus ostreatus-colonizing polyamide carrier and a suspension of the yeast Candida zeylanoides to see their biological interactions and possible synergistic action during degradation. Decolorization in the mixed culture was more effective than in the fungal monoculture, the respective decolorizations reaching 87.5% and 70% on day 11.

Effect of yeasts on biodegradation potential of immobilized cultures of white rot fungi.

The aim was to investigate the effect of yeast organisms on the degradation process by immobilized cultures of ligninolytic fungi. Immobilization was accomplished by 7-day colonization of polyamide mesh with mycelial fragments. Irpex lacteus decolorized >90% of the initial concentration of 150mgl of anthraquinone Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye in three subsequent decolorization cycles and the degradation capacity was not negatively affected by the presence of 10Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells per ml in the mixed culture.

Effect of bacteria on the degradation ability of Pleurotus ostreatus.

White-rot fungi are efficient degraders of lignin whose extracellular enzymes have a potential to degrade organopollutants. In natural conditions these fungi enter into interactions with other organisms, which may affect their biodegradation capacity. The aim was to investigate the ability of Pleurotus ostreatus to form stable biofilms and to test the capacity of the fungus to degrade Remazol Brilliant Blue R in mixed cultures with bacteria.