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U.S. Department of Energy
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Biodegradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in liquid culture and in soil by the white rot fungus phanerochaete chrysosporium

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6336037

Extensive biodegradation of (14)C-2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid ((14)C-2,4,5-T) by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was demonstrated in nutrient nitrogen-limited aqueous cultures and in (14)C-2,4,5-T-contaminated soil inoculated with this fungus and supplemented with ground corn cobs. After incubation of (14)C-2,4,5-T with aqueous cultures of the fungus for 30 days, 62.0% - or + 2.0% of the (14)C-2,4,5-T initially present was degraded to (14)CO2. Mass balance analysis demonstrated that water soluble metabolites were formed during degradation, and HPLC and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of methylene chloride-extractable material revealed the presence of polar and non-polar (14)C-2,4,5-T initially present in cultures remained as undegraded (14)C-2,4,5-T. In incubations composed of (14)C-2,4,5-T-contaminated soil, ground corn cobs, and 40% (w/w) water, 32.5%-3.6% of the (14)C-2,4,5-T initially present was converted to (14)CO2 after 30 days of incubation. These results suggest that it may be possible to develop practical systems based on the use of the fungus to detoxify 2,4,5-T-contaminated water and soil.

Research Organization:
Utah State Univ., Logan, UT (United States)
OSTI ID:
6336037
Report Number(s):
PB-93-191542/XAB; CNN: EPA-R-813369; EPA-R-814448
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English