Removal of anthracene and phenanthrene by filamentous fungi capable of cortexolone 11-hydroxylation

Nine fungal strains showing ability of cortexolone hydroxylation to epicort isol and/or cortisol were screened in this work for anthracene and phenanth rene elimination (250 mg/l). All of the strains (Cylindrocladium simplex IM 2358, C. simplex IM 2358/650, Monosporium olivaceum IM 484, Curvularia lun ata IM 2901, C. lunata IM 2901/366, C. tuberculata IM 4417, Cunninghamella elegans IM 1785, C. elegans IM 1785/21Gp, C. elegans IM 1785/10Gi) signific antly removed anthracene and phenanthrene. During incubation with anthracen e formation of intermediate products was observed. The amount of the main i ntermediate product, identified as 9,10-anthraquinone, was not greater than 22.2% of the anthracene introduced to the fungal cultures. C. elegans IM 1 785/21Gp was the best degrader of both anthrarene and phenanthrene, removin g 81.6 and 99.4% of these compounds after 7 days, respectively. Phenanthren e removal by C. elegans IM 1785/21Gp was preceded by PAHs accumulation in m ycelium and growth inhibition. Elimination of phenanthrene started after on e day of incubation and was related to the fungus growth.