Isolation and Properties of Paecilomyces sp. No.5 Capable of Degrading High Concentrations of Formaldehyde

Abstract

Six strains of fungi that degrade formaldehyde were isolated from the soil. Strain no. 5 degraded formaldehyde concentrations as high as 2.0% within 20 days. Colonial and morphological properties indicated that strain no.5 belongs to the genus Paecilomyces. This strain proliferated in medium containing 1.5% formaldehyde as the sole carbon source. The upper concentration limit of formaldehyde that permitted fungal growth was 2.4% and strain no. 5 degraded that concentration offormaldehyde completely within 55 days.