COMPARISON OF ALGINATE AND PESTA FOR FORMULATION OF PHANEROCHAETE-CHRYSOSPORIUM

Alginate and wheat gluten (''Pesta'') matrices were compared for the e ncapsulation of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. ''Pe sta'' granules were not successful for formulating P. chrysosporium al though control granules made with Alternaria alternata yielded viable fungal colonies; the gluten in wheat flour apparently inhibits growth of the white rot fungus. P. chrysosporium formulated in alginate with corncob grits or sawdust, and stored at room temperature, yielded over 50% viability of encapsulated mycelia after six months. Alginate enca psulation offers a promising technology for the delivery of white rot fungi to toxic waste sites.