Isolation of two fungal strains capable of phenol biodegradation

Abstract

In this study, we aimed at isolating fungal strains from the indoor environment that tolerate or/and degrade phenol as sole carbon and energy source. Subsequently, we isolated two fungi (IF2 and IF3, identified as Alternaria sp. and Penicillium sp., respectively) showed the ability to degrade phenol as sole carbon and energy source in mineral medium. Growth with phenol was monitored by increase in biomass measured as dry weight and depletion of phenol measured by gas chromatography. Both strains were also grown with lactose as reference. The IF2 showed higher phenol degradation capacity (18.6 μg L-1) than IF3 (5.4 μg L-1). © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.