Decolorization of molasses spent wash by the white-rot fungus Flavodon flavus, isolated from a marine habitat

Flavodon flavus (Klotzsch) Ryvarden, a basidiomycete (NIOCC strain 312) iso lated from decomposing leaves of a sea grass. decolorized pigments in molas ses spent wash (MSW) by 80% after 8 days of incubation, when used at concen trations of 10% and 50%. Decolorizing activity was also present in media pr epared with half-strength seawater (equivalent to 15 ppt salinity). Decolor izing activity was seen in low-nitrogen medium, nutrient-rich medium and in sugarcane bagasse medium. The percentage decolorization of MSW was highest when glucose or sucrose was used as the carbon source in the low-nitrogen medium. The production of lignin-modifying enzymes, manganese-dependent per oxidase (MNP) and laccase decreased in a medium containing MSW. MNP product ion and MSW decolorization were inversely correlated. suggesting no role fo r MNP in MSW decolorization. The decolorization of MSW was not effective wh en F:flavus was immobilized in calcium alginate beads. Decolorization was a chieved best in oxygenated cultures. Besides color, total phenolics and che mical oxygen demand were reduced by 50% in MSW treated with E flavus. sugge sting its potential in the bioremediation of effluents.