FACTORS AFFECTING THE MINERALIZATION OF [U-C-14]BENZENE IN SPENT MUSHROOM SUBSTRATE

The degradation of benzene in pasteurized spent mushroom substrate (SM S) was assessed. Following a 3 month enrichment in the presence of a v ariety of BTEX compounds, the extent of [U-C-14]benzene mineralization in the pasteurized SMS increased with increasing incubation temperatu re (18 degrees C < 37 degrees C < 50 degrees C). The concentration as well as the chemical composition used to enrich the compost's degradat ive activity was also shown to be involved in determining the extent o f benzene mineralization. SMS induced on a 12.5 mM BTEX mixture minera lized more benzene than composts induced using 500 mu M benzene, 500 m u M o-xylene, or 2.5 mM BTEX mixture. Tn the absence of a pre-enrichme nt period, benzene mineralization was minimal. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.