Decolorization of polymeric dyes by a novel Penicillium isolate

A novel polymeric dye-degrading fungal strain ATCC 74414 was isolated. Taxo nomic identification including morphological and cultural characterization indicated that this isolate was a strain of Penicillium, Strain ATCC 74414 aerobically decolorized both Poly R-478 and Poly S-119 in liquid media cont aining 0.01% of polymeric dyes. The decolorization rate was examined in thr ee distinct liquid media: Schenk and Hildebrandt-K2SO4 medium (SHK), potato dextrose broth (PDB), and half Murashige-Skoog medium (HMS). Strain ATCC 7 4414 rapidly decolorized R-478 in SHK medium but the color was subsequently released from the mycelial mass into the medium after 2-3 days, indicating that the decolorization in SHK medium could be due to adsorption of Poly R -478 by the mycelia. In contrast, in HMS and PDB media ATCC 74414 decoloriz ed Poly R-478 more steadily, and the: dye was initially adsorbed onto the m ycelia and was subsequently decolorized without being released into the med ium. Strain ATCC 74414 also decolorized Poly S-119 steadily in SHK, HMS and PDB media. It appears that the decolorization process involved initial myc elial adsorption of dye compounds, which was probably followed by biodegrad ation through microbial metabolism, and the decolorization may be affected by medium constituents. Although aerobic decolorization map not necessarily lead to complete mineralization of dyes, these results have suggested the potential of strain ATCC 74414 in bioremediation of dye-contaminated water and soil. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.