The effect of ethoxylated oleyl-cetyl alcohol on metabolism of some fungi and their potential application in mycoremediation

Abstract

The effect of ethoxylated oleyl-cetyl alcohol at a concentration of 1% on the growth and metabolism of A. tenuis Nees and P. verrucosum Dierckx was examined in this paper. The fungal growth was investigated by monitoring the diameter of colonies on solid media and dry weight biomass in liquid media. A. tenuis had better response to applied pollutant in solid medium, whereas P. verrucosum had better response in liquid medium. During exponential fungal growth in liquid media with and without pollutant (control), the following physico-chemical and biochemical parameters were carried out: pH, quantity of free and total organic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, proteolytic activity. The ethoxylated oleyl-cetyl alcohol had influence on decrease in pH value and increase in free organic acids of both fungi. Furthermore, it has influenced production in way that lower amount of total organic acids, proteins, glucose and fructose were gained in fermentation broth of P. verrucosum compared to A. tenuis. The proteolityc activity of fungi was partially (A. tenuis) or fully inhibited (P. verrucosum) by presence of pollutant in liquid medium. Based on the obtained results, these fungal species act as potential candidates for mycoremediation of alcohol ethoxylated contaminated environments and biotechnology.