Degradation of Ferulic Acid by the Endophytic Fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides TMTM-13 Associated with Ostrya rehderiana Chun

Abstract

Biodegradation of ferulic acid, by an endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides TMTM-13 associated with Ostrya rehderiana Chun, was explored in this study. Ferulic acid was completely degraded by TMTM-13 as its initial concentration was lower than 400 mg L-1. Generally, the initial concentration of ferulic acid and fungal biomass of TMTM-13 kept synchronously growing up as the concentration was lower than 400 mg L-1. Fungal biomass reached a maximum of almost 1.177 g L-1 under concentrations of 400-450 mg L-1. HPLC-MS analysis indicated that ferulic acid ultimately degraded to vanillin, vanillic acid, acetovanillone, and dihydroconiferyl alcohol by TMTM-13. This study was the first report about an endophytic fungus associated with O. rehderiana Chun that has great potential for practical application in ferulic acid contaminated environments.