Biodegradation of colorants in refinery effluents - Potential-use of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The degradative ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium towards each of the four;nain types of colorants present in regeneration effluents from ion exc hange resins was investigated. The fungus was able to decolorise melanoidin , caramel and HADP (hexose alkaline degradation product) solutions by 74%, 87% and 80%,. respectively, and to reduce levels of phenolic compounds by 7 2%. Gel permeation chromatography studies showed that decolorisation was ac companied by effective degradation of the colorants, As well as transformat ion of the visible chromophores, minor degrees of polymerisation of phenoli c compounds and depolymerisation of melanoidin occurred during the incubati on. No significant adsorption of colorants,onto the biomass was observed, i ndicating that colorants were biochemically degraded and not physically ads orbed.