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Tigini and associates at the University of
Turin and University of Bologna have recently published their
findings regarding the isolation and utilization of PCB
degrading fungi for degradation of PCB containing soil.
(Microbial Cell Factories 2009 Vol 8 No 5, published January 12,
2009)
In their article entitled “Isolation and
characterisation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrading
fungi from a historically contaminated soil” the team identified
4 species of fungi able to metabolize Aroclor 1260 PCBs as long
as an additional carbon source was available to enhance
substrate metabolism. These fungi species were Penicillum
chrysogenium, Scedosporium apiospermum, Penicillium digitatum
and Fusarium solani. Fungi were able to remove
2-chlorobiophenyl, 4,4`, dichlorobiphenyl and
2,2`5,5`-tetrachlorobiphenyl compounds. Penicillium
chryosogenium species were the most effective fungi in their
ability to metabolize PCB material as a substrate, with up to
72% PCB degradation to inert material over a period of 30 days.
Fungi may prove superior to bacteria in the degradation of PCB
containing soil contaminants due to their production of
extracellular enzymes and free radical attack systems, allowing
for the degradation of poorly bioavailable or water insoluble
complex mixtures of organic pollutants. This is the first
published study in which the extensive characterization of the
soil of an actual aged PCB toxic site has sourced fungi capable
of significantly breaking down PCBs into harmless nontoxic
components. Isolating such fungi and using them effectively may
be an effective, cost competitive and environmentally friendly
means to remediate soil contaminated with PCBs.
Microbial Cell
Factories
Isolation and characterisation of
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrading fungi from a
historically contaminated soil Valeria Tigini1, Valeria
Prigione1, Sara Di Toro2,3, Fabio Fava2 and Giovanna C Varese*1
More
Other
Articles Dealing with Bio Degradation
Bacterium Could Treat PCBs Without The Need For Dredging -
Science Daily March 13, 2007
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)-Degrading Bacteria Associated
with Trees in a PCB-Contaminated Site -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology -
April 2006
Wanted: Cleans
Up PCBs, No O2 Required -
Chesapeake Quarterly Online - July, 2006
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