Abstract
Some of the environmental factors influencing the growth characterization of the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and the degradation of azo dyes (Reactive Red 22 & Sunset Yellow FCF) and chlorinated substances (2, 6-DCP & MCPA) were investigated in shallow batch cultures. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth were around 30°C and 4, respectively. The presence of thiamine was necessary for its growth. The azo dyes were decolorized by the P. chrysosporium under nitrogen-limiting condition. Two chlorinated substances were, however, disappeared under both nitrogen-limiting and nitrogen-sufficient conditions. Adsorption onto the mycelia were also investigated. And it was concluded that these recalcitrant substances were degraded by non-specific mechanisms of this lignin-degrading fungus. The azo dyes were also decolorized by the crude enzymes of lignin peroxydase.
