Laboratory-scale production of lignin-degrading enzymes by free and entrapped cells ofPhanerochoete chrysosporium in a tubular air-lift bioreactor

Production of biosurfactant on crude date syrup under saline conditions by entrapped cells of Natrialba sp. strain E21, an extremely halophilic bacterium isolated from a solar saltern (Ain Salah, Algeria)

A bacterial strain E21 was isolated from a sample of water collected in the salt lake located close to Ain Salah, Algeria. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence had indicated that the strain had 93 % sequence similarity with the genus Natrialba sp. strain E21 (GenBank, FR750525.1) and was considered extremely halophilic. Production of biosurfactant by the strain E21 with free and entrapped cells was investigated using soluble starch in the saline conditions. Biosurfactant synthesis was followed by measuring the surface tension and emulsifying index 9 days under optimal conditions (40 °C, pH 7). Some diffusional limitations in alginate and agar beads affected the kinetics of biosurfactant production when compared to that obtained with free cells culture. The minimum values of surface tension were 27 and 30 mN m(-1) achieved after 9 days with free and immobilized cells, respectively, while the corresponding maximum E24 values were 65.3 and 62.3 %, respectively. The re-use of bacterial cells along with the limited cell losses provided by the immobilized system might lead to significant reduction of the biosurfactant production cost.

Industrial and agricultural wastes as substrates for laccase production by white-rot fungi

White-rot fungi, Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogii, produced laccase on media with diluted olive-oil mill wastewater and vinasse. Addition of spent cotton stalks enhanced the laccase activity with a maximum after 12 d of cultivation.

Decolorization of synthetic textile dyes by lignin peroxidase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Neem hull waste (containing a high amount of lignin and other phenolic compounds) was used for lignin peroxidase production by Phanerochaete chrysosporum under solid-state fermentation conditions. Maximum decolorization achieved by partially purified lignin peroxidase was 80% for Porocion Brilliant Blue HGR, 83 for Ranocid Fast Blue, 70 for Acid Red 119 and 61 for Navidol Fast Black MSRL. The effects of different concentrations of veratryl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, enzyme and dye on the efficiency of decolorization have been investigated. Maximum decolorization efficiency was observed at 0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide, 2.5 mmol/L veratryl alcohol and pH 5.0 after a 1-h reaction, using 50 ppm of dyes and 9.96 mkat/L of enzyme.

Effect of spent cotton stalks on color removal and chemical oxygen demand lowering in olive oil mill wastewater by white rot fungi

Wastewater from olive oil mill was decolorized (and its chemical oxygen demand reduced in static cultivation) using the fungi Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus sajor-caju. The effect of cotton stalk on decolorizing and COD removing capability was demonstrated. P. chrysosporium (in 20% medium with cotton stalk) reduced the COD by 48% and color by 58%, F. trogii (in 30% medium with cotton stalk)) by 51 and 55%, respectively.

Relationship between production of 3-indoleacetic acid and peroxidase-laccase activities depending on the culture periods in Funalia trogii (Trametes trogii)

The relationship between production of 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) and peroxidase and laccase activity was investigated in white-rot fungus Funalia trogii (Trametes trogii). F. trogii produced IAA and peroxidase and laccase as both primary metabolite and secondary metabolite; the levels of IAA may be influenced by peroxidase and laccase. A correlation exists between the levels of IAA and peroxidase-laccase activity.