Potential of white-rot fungi for bioremediation

Abstract

Environmental applications of enzymes in biodegradation for preventing pollution by toxic byproducts warrants approaches that can be performed under mild conditions, are economically feasible and can replace the use of chemicals. Technologies involving physico-chemical methods, like incineration, dechlorination and UV oxidation, for waste treatment are not acceptable since they generate a lot of pollutants as by-products. To address these problems, environmental–friendly alternatives are required for bioremediation. In this context, fungal enzymes have emerged as a natural tool to detoxification of pollutants in environment, and the potential to convert toxic substances to less hazardous or non-hazardous forms. However, what are the effective advances by using white-rot fungi for bioremediation? Here, a brief discussion about the application of these fungi to detoxification of pollutants in environment has been considered.