C. Raghukumar et G. Rivonkar, Decolorization of molasses spent wash by the white-rot fungus Flavodon flavus, isolated from a marine habitat, APPL MICR B, 55(4), 2001, pp. 510-514
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.