Biotransformation and detoxification of tetrabromobisphenol A by white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624.

The bulky phenolic compound tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a brominated flame retardant used in a wide range of products; however, it diffuses into the environment, and has been reported to have toxic effects. Although it is well-known that white-rot fungi degrade TBBPA through ligninolytic enzymes, no other metabolic enzymes have yet been identified, and the toxicity of the reaction products and their risks have not yet been examined. We found that the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 converted TBBPA to TBBPA-O-β-D-glucopyranoside when grown under non-ligninolytic-enzyme-producing conditions.