Transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by white rot fungus Irpex lacteus

Up to 200 mg 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) l(-1) was removed within 12 h afte r adding it to a 5-day old culture of Irpex lacteus. The initial formation of hydroxylamino-dinitrotoluenes (2- and 4-OHAmDNT) from TNT was detected, followed by their successive transformation to aminodinitrotoluenes (2- and 4-AmDNT). Transformation of TNT to AmDNT via OHAmDNT was fast, but the nex t step was slow and seemed to be a rate-limiting step in TNT degradation. O HAmDNT isomers were also rapidly transformed by an in vitro enzymatic syste m. Both the mycelium and extracellular enzymes of I. lacteus were required for the TNT degradation.