KERATINOLYTIC FUNGI IN SEWAGE-SLUDGE

Sewage sludge from the Upper Silesia Region of Poland were surveyed fo r keratinolytic fungi. Out of 100 Petri dishes examined, 89 were posit ive for these micro-organisms. Altogether, 185 fungal appearances belo nging to 10 species were observed. Trichophyton terrestre with its tel eomorph Arthroderma quadrifidum, T. ajelloi with A. uncinatum, Microsp orum gypseum with Arthroderma sp., and Chrysosporium keratinophilum wi th Aphanoascus keratinophilus prevailed in the sludges. The sewage tre atment technologies together with the sludge structure, humidity and p H were found to be critical factors determining the occurrence of kera tinolytic fungi in the sludge environment. The qualitative and quantit ative composition of keratinolytic fungi could be a useful tool in eva luation of sludge treatment processes.