Biodegradation of colorants in refinery effluents: potential use of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract

The degradative ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium towards each of the four;main types of colorants present in regeneration effluents from ion exchange resins was investigated. The fungus was able to decolorise melanoidin, caramel and HADP (hexose alkaline degradation product) solutions by 74%, 87% and 80%,. respectively, and to reduce levels of phenolic compounds by 72%. Gel permeation chromatography studies showed that decolorisation was accompanied by effective degradation of the colorants. As well as transformation of the visible chromophores, minor degrees of polymerisation of phenolic compounds and depolymerisation of melanoidin occurred during the incubation. No significant adsorption of colorants,onto the biomass was observed, indicating that colorants were biochemically degraded and not physically adsorbed.