BIODEGRADATION OF OLIVE OIL MILL WASTE-WATER BY CORIOLUS-VERSICOLOR AND FUNALIA-TROGII - EFFECTS OF AGITATION, INITIAL COD CONCENTRATION, INOCULUM SIZE AND IMMOBILIZATION

The biodegradation of olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) by Coriolus ver sicolor and Funalia trogii was investigated. Initial COD concentration , agitation and inoculum size were all found to be significant for bio degradation. Adding glucose, sulphate or nitrogen had no effect on bio degradation. During growth in optimum conditions, C. versicolor remove d approximately 63% COD, 90% phenol and 65% colour within 6 days and t rogii removed approximately 70% COD, 93% phenol and 81% colour of the OOMW used. The fungi also excreted large amounts of extracellular lacc ase into the medium. High biodegradation yields were also obtained by fungi immobilized in calcium alginate gels.