Screening of basidiomycetes capable of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole removal

Abstract

In this study, we screened several basidiomycetes for the removal of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and successfully identified Pleurotus ostreatus SKB019, Auricularia polytricha SKB033 and Pleurotus eryngii NBRC32798, which were capable of removing MBT from MBT-containing solution (MBT removal rate: >95%). Among the basidiomycetes, A. polytricha SKB033 exhibited a highly stable MBT removal rate, and repeated batch removal of MBT using A. polytricha SKB033 immobilized on a non-woven fabric made of polyester and rayon was successfully accomplished 15 times for more than 360 h.