Selective production of extracellular peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium in an airlift bioreactor

Design of reaction conditions for the enhancement of microbial degradation of dyes in sequential cycles

The present study evaluated the potential of white-rot fungal strain Coriolus versicolor to decolorize five structurally different dyes in sequential batch reactors under optimized conditions. The experiments were run continuously for seven cycles of 8 d each. High decolorizing activity was observed even during the repeated reuse of the fungus, especially when the old medium was replaced with fresh medium after every cycle. Biodegradation was the dominating factor as the fungus was able to produce the enzyme laccase mainly, to mineralize synthetic dyes. The nutrients and composition of the medium played important roles in sustaining the decolorisation potential of the fungus. Corncob was found be an easy and cheap substitute for carbon source for the fungus. Glucose consumption by the fungus was in accordance to its decolorisation activity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction.

Enzyme production activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and degradation of pentachlorophenol in a bioreactor

Lignin peroxidase production by a white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, was experimentally investigated using a batch system and a reactor system with various carriers. Immobilization of mycelia cell culture was more effective in promoting cell growth and lignin peroxidase production compared to conventional stationary liquid culture. Biostage carrier, commonly used for biochemical treatment in a fluidized bed disposal system, greatly improved production of lignin peroxidase up to 8.1 U/mL in the batch system. The packed bed reactor system was operated using a repeated batch technique, consisting of alternating growth and production phases, to sustain lignin peroxidase growth and production during the entire experiment period. Steady-state continuous PCP degradation over an extended period was accomplished with a mineralization ratio exceeding 80%. These systems and operation methods are promising techniques for the treatment of hazardous waste.

Decolorization of reactive dyes by the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor in sequencing batch reactors

The white rot fungus Trametes versicolor was shown to be capable of decolorizing three reactive dyes in a sequencing batch process, using glucose as the carbon and energy source over an extended period without supplementation of new mycelium. Decolorization activity was related to the expression of extracellular peroxidases and could be continuously reactivated by sheering the suspended pellets. Pure culture experiments were carried out simultaneously in agitated Erlenmeyer flasks and in completely stirred tank reactors with two azo dyes, C.I. Reactive Black 5 and C.I. Reactive Red 198 as well as the anthraquinone dye C.I. Reactive Blue 19 (Brilliant Blue R). Results show high and stable degrees of decolorization of 91%-99% in both systems, which could be repeated without decrease in activity over time. Under nonsterile conditions only five cycles of decolorization could be achieved. An increasing bacterial population suppressed fungal growth and the formation of peroxidases.

Roles of manganese and organic acid chelators in regulating lignin degradation and biosynthesis of peroxidases by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

We studied the effect of manganese and various organic chelators on the distribution, depolymerization, and mineralization of synthetic 14C-labeled lignins (DHP) in cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. In the presence of high levels of manganese [Mn(II) or Mn(III)], along with a suitable chelator, lignin peroxidase (LiP) production was repressed and manganese peroxidase (MnP) production was stimulated. Even though partial lignin depolymerization was observed under these conditions, further depolymerization of the polymer to smaller compounds was more efficient when low levels of manganese were present. LiPs were prevalent under these latter conditions, but MnPs were also present. Mineralization was more efficient with low manganese. These studies indicate that MnP performs the initial steps of DHP depolymerization but that LiP is necessary for further degradation of the polymer to lower-molecular-weight products and mineralization. We also conclude that a soluble Mn(II)-Mn(III) organic acid complex is necessary to repress LiP.

Heterogeneity and regulation of manganese peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Lignin and Mn peroxidases are two families of isozymes produced by the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium under nutrient nitrogen or carbon limitation. We purified to homogeneity the three major Mn peroxidase isozymes, H3 (pI = 4.9), H4 (pI = 4.5), and H5 (pI = 4.2). Amino-terminal sequencing of these isozymes demonstrates that they are encoded by different genes. We also analyzed the regulation of these isozymes in carbon- and nitrogen-limited cultures and found not only that the lignin and Mn peroxidases are differentially regulated but also that differential regulation occurs within the Mn peroxidase isozyme family. The isozyme profile and the time at which each isozyme appears in secondary metabolism differ in both nitrogen- and carbon-limited cultures. Each isozyme also responded differently to the addition of a putative inducer, divalent Mn. The stability of the Mn peroxidases in carbon- and nitrogen-limited cultures was also characterized after cycloheximide addition. The Mn peroxidases are more stable in carbon-limited cultures than in nitrogen-limited cultures. They are also more stable than the lignin peroxidases. These data collectively suggest that the Mn peroxidase isozymes serve different functions in lignin biodegradation.

Production of Phanerochaete chrysosporium lignin peroxidase

Liginin peroxidase (ligninase) of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burdsall was discovered in 1982 as a secondary metabolite. Today multiple isoenzymes are known, which are often collectively called as lignin peroxidase. Lignin peroxidase has been characterized as a veratryl alcohol oxidizing enzyme, but it is a relatively unspecific enzyme catalyzing a variety of reactions with hydrogen peroxide as the electron acceptor. P. chrysosporium ligninases are heme glycoproteins. At least a number of isoenzymes are also phosphorylated. Two of the major isoenzymes have been crystallized. Until recently lignin peroxidase could only be produced in low yields in very small scale stationary cultures owing to shear sensitivity. Most strains produce the enzyme only after grown under nitrogen or carbon limitation, although strains producing lignin peroxidase under nutrient sufficiency have also been isolated. Activities over 2000 U dm(-3) (as determined at 30 degrees to 37 degrees C) have been reported in small scale Erlenmeyer cultures with the strain INA-12 grown on glycerol in the presence of soybean phospholipids under nitrogen sufficiency. In about 8 dm(3) liquid volume pilot scale higher than 100 U dm(-3) (as determined at 23 degrees C) have been obtained under agitation with immobilized P. chrysosporium strains ATCC 24725 or TKK 20512. Good results have been obtained for example with nylon web, polyurethane foam, sintered glass or silicon tubing as the carrier. The immobilized biocatalyst systems have also made large scale repeated batch and semicontinuous production possible. With nylon web as the carrier, lignin peroxidase production has recently been scaled up to 800 dm(3) liquid volume semicontinuous industrial production process.