The life history of Phalacrognathus Muelleri (Macleay) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

The life history of Phalacrognathus muelleri (Macleay) is described and aspects of its biology discussed. The species is restricted to the wet tropics of northern Queensland where it breeds in rotting wood in rainforest. Larvae have been extracted from the wood of 27 tree species in 13 families. All larvae found were in wood attacked by white rot fungi. The final instar larva is described. Larva, pupa, and parasites are figured.

Monitoring of Fungal Growth and Degradation of Wood

Valko- ja ruskolahosienet tunnetaan luonnossa tehokkaimpina puun ja karikkeen lignoselluloosan lahottajina. Valkolahosienet pystyvät hajottamaan kaikkia puun osia: ligniiniä, selluloosaa ja hemiselluloosaa. Selektiivisesti ligniiniä hajottavat sienet lahottavat puusta suhteessa enemmän vaikeasti hajoavaa ligniiniä kuin selluloosaa tai hemiselluloosaa, jolloin jäljelle jää valkoista ja miltei puhdasta selluloosaa. Bioteknisissä sovelluksissa juuri selektiviiviset valkolahottajat ovat kiinnostavia. Niiden avulla voidaan puuhaketta esikäsitellä esimerkiksi paperinvalmistuksessa haitallisen ligniinin poistamiseksi. Ruskolahosienet ovat huomattavia puun, puutavaran ja puisten rakenteiden lahottajia, kuten tässä työssä käytetty Gloeophyllum trabeum (saunasieni ) ja Poria (Postia) placenta (istukkakääpä). Ruskolahosienet hajottavat puusta hemiselluloosan lisäksi selluloosaa, jolloin jää jäljelle ruskea ja jauhomaiseksi mureneva ligniini. Ruskolahosienet muovaavat ligniiniä jonkin verran. Kahden ruskolahosienen G. trabeumin ja P. placentan lisäksi tutkittiin valkolahosieniä, joista Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (karstakääpä) ja harvinainen Physisporinus rivulosus -sieni (talikääpä) hajottavat ligniiniä erittäin selektiivisesti. Phanerochaete chrysosporium on kaikkialla paljon tutkittu sieni, ja Phlebia radiata valkolahosientä (rusorypykkä) on tutkittu paljon mikrobiologian osastolla. Lisäksi tutkittiin Phlebia tremellosa -sienten (hytyrypykkä) ligninolyyttisten entsyymien tuottoa ja 14C-leimatun synteettisen ligniinin (DHP) hajotusta. P. radiata ja P. tremellosa -sienten on todettu aiemmin hajottavan ligniiniä selektiivisesti. Työssä selvitettiin miten sienten kasvua voi mitata, miten vertailukelpoisia eri mittaamismenetelmillä saadut tulokset ovat ja ilmenevätkö sienten aktiivisimmat kasvuvaiheet samaan aikaan eri menetelmillä mitattuna. Tärkeimmät tulokset olivat seuraavat havainnot: (i) P. radiata ja P. tremellosa -sienikannat tuottivat ligniini- ja mangaaniperoksidaasientsyymejä (LiP ja MnP) sekä lakkaasia, ja sienistä puhdistettiin 2-3 LiP- ja P. radiatasta yksi MnP-entsyymi; (ii) P. tremellosa -sienet hajottivat leimattua synteettistä ligniiniä (DHP) yhtä hyvin kuin paljon tutkitut P. chrysosporium ja P. radiata -sienet; (iii) puu, sienen luonnollinen kasvualusta, lisäsi valkolaho- ja ruskolahosienten demetoksylaatiota [O14CH3]-leimatusta ligniinin malliyhdisteestä 14CO2:ksi ilman puuta olleeseen alustaan verrattuna; (iv) demetoksylaatio (14CO2:n tuotto) oli normaalissa ilma-atmosfäärissä useimmiten parempi happeen verrattuna; (v) hapessa paras 14CO2:n tuotto saatiin puupalakasvatuksissa, joihin oli lisätty ravinnetyppeä tai typen lisäksi glukoosia sekä valkolaho- että ruskolahosienillä; (vi) ilmassa 14CO2:n tuotto oli puulla voimakkainta valkolahosienillä ilman lisäravinteita, kun taas G. trabeum -sienellä se oli yhtä hyvä eri alustoissa; (vii) biomassan muodostuminen rihmastojen ergosterolipitoisuuksista mitattuna oli ruskolahosienillä parempi kuin valkolahosienillä; (viii) ja biomassojen huippupitoisuudet olivat 6:lla sienellä eri suuruisia ja niiden maksimimäärien ajankohdat vaihtelivat viiden viikon kasvatusten kuluessa. Mikrobiologian osastolla Viikissä eristetty ja paljon tutkittu P. radiata -valkolahosieni oli mukana kaikissa tehdyissä kokeissa. Sienen LiP-aktiivisuus ja 14CO2:n tuotto 14C-rengas-leimatusta synteettisestä ligniinistä (DHP) korreloivat erittäin hyvin. Biomassan muodostuminen ergosterolilla määritettynä tuki hyvin entsyymiaktiivisuusmittauksilla ja isotooppikasvatuksilla saatuja tuloksia.

Two ex situ fungal technologies to treat contaminated soil

Wood-degrading fungi are able to degrade a large range of recalcitrant pollutants which resemble the lignin biopolymer. This ability is attributed to the production of lignin-modifying enzymes, which are extracellular and non-specific. Despite the potential of fungi in bioremediation, there is still an understanding gap in terms of the technology. In this thesis, the feasibility of two ex situ fungal bioremediation methods to treat contaminated soil was evaluated. Treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated marsh soil was studied in a stirred slurry-phase reactor. Due to the salt content in marsh soil, fungi were screened for their halotolerance, and the white-rot fungi Lentinus tigrinus, Irpex lacteus and Bjerkandera adusta were selected for further studies. These fungi degraded 40 - 60% of a PAH mixture (phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene) in a slurry-phase reactor (100 ml) during 30 days of incubation. Thereafter, B. adusta was selected to scale-up and optimize the process in a 5 L reactor. Maximum degradation of dibenzothiophene (93%), fluoranthene (82%), pyrene (81%) and chrysene (83%) was achieved with the free mycelium inoculum of the highest initial biomass (2.2 g/l). In autoclaved soil, MnP was the most important enzyme involved in PAH degradation. In non-sterile soil, endogenous soil microbes together with B. adusta also degraded the PAHs extensively, suggesting a synergic action between soil microbes and the fungus. A fungal solid-phase cultivation method to pretreat contaminated sawmill soil with high organic matter content was developed to enhance the effectiveness of the subsequent soil combustion. In a preliminary screening of 146 fungal strains, 28 out of 52 fungi, which extensively colonized non-sterile contaminated soil, were litter-decomposing fungi. The 18 strains further selected were characterized by their production of lignin-modifying and hydrolytic enzymes, of which MnP and endo-1,4-β-glucanase were the main enzymes during cultivation on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) bark. Of the six fungi selected for further tests, Gymnopilus luteofolius, Phanerochaete velutina, and Stropharia rugosoannulata were the most active soil organic matter degraders. The results showed that a six-month pretreatment of sawmill soil would result in a 3.5 - 9.5% loss of organic matter, depending on the fungus applied. The pretreatment process was scaled-up for a 0.56 m3 reactor, in which perforated plastic tubes filled with S. rugosoannulata growing on pine bark were introduced into the soil. The fungal pretreatment resulted in a soil mass loss of 30.5 kg, which represents 10% of the original soil mass (308 kg). Despite the fact that Scots pine bark contains several antimicrobial compounds, it was a suitable substrate for fungal growth and promoter of the production of oxidative enzymes, as well as an excellent and cheap natural carrier of fungal mycelium. This thesis successfully developed two novel fungal ex situ bioremediation technologies and introduce new insights for their further full-scale application. Ex situ slurry-phase fungal reactors might be applied in cases when the soil has a high water content or when the contaminant bioavailability is low; for example, in wastewater treatment plants to remove pharmaceutical residues. Fungal solid-phase bioremediation is a promising remediation technology to ex situ or in situ treat contaminated soil.

白腐菌选择性降解木质素的研究

对15株白腐真菌进行了以玉米秸秆为基质的初步筛选，从中获得一株选择性系数较高的菌株Y10，并对其降解玉米秸秆的情况进行了研究。结果表明，在30天的培养过程中菌株Y10对玉米秸秆降解的选择性系数都大于1，第15天选择性系数最高为3.88。对未经降解和降解过的玉米秸秆分别作了紫外光谱和红外光谱分析，结果表明，经该菌降解后玉米秸秆的化学成分发生了很大变化，且木质素的降解程度要大于纤维素的降解程度。对菌株Y10进行了ITS-5.8S rDNA序列鉴定，初步判定其为Cerrena sp.。 为了考查不同的外源添加物对菌株Y10降解玉米秸秆的影响，在以玉米秸秆为基质的固态发酵培养基中分别添加了7种金属离子、8种碳源、6种氮源。结果显示，这7种金属离子均能促进木质素的降解，并且一定浓度的某些离子明显抑制纤维素的降解；其中添加0.036%的MnSO4·H2O和0.36%的MgSO4·7H2O对纤维素降解的抑制作用比较强，降解率分别为0.96%和1.31%，木质素的选择性系数分别达到了34.40和20.17。8种碳源中除麦芽糖外都能促进木质素的降解，除微晶纤维素外都明显促进纤维素的降解。6种氮源中酒石酸铵、硫酸铵、草酸铵和氯化铵的添加都会使该菌生长变慢，而且氮源浓度越高菌丝生长越慢。外加碳源和金属离子对半纤维素降解和选择性系数的影响不大。 同时对菌株Y10在液态培养下产木质素降解酶的条件和培养基做了优化。结果表明，在初始产酶培养基中，菌株Y10的漆酶酶活在第10d达到最高，锰过氧化物酶酶活在第11d达到最高，基本上检测不到木质素过氧化物酶。菌株Y10产漆酶的最适温度为32℃，最适PH为6.0；产锰过氧化物酶的最适温度为32℃，最适PH为6.5。菌株Y10产漆酶的最佳碳源为甘露糖，最佳氮源为酒石酸铵，最适诱导剂VA浓度为3 mmol/L，最适表面活性剂TW-80浓度为1%。 利用响应面法对其产漆酶的培养基进行优化，优化后的培养基配方为葡萄糖10.00 g/L，酒石酸铵0.50 g/L，大量元素296.50 ml/L，微量元素100.00 ml/L，NTA 1.40 g/L，VA 5.00 mmol/L，吐温-80加入量为0.10%。进行了菌株Y10产漆酶的验证实验，实测酶活为5282.56 U/L，与预测酶活5162.73 U/L接近。在优化后培养基中，菌株Y10在第14 d达到生长的最高峰，第20 d时，漆酶酶活最高，为11325.00 U/L；第16 d时，锰过氧化物酶酶活最高，为30.77 U/L。 对菌株Y10的漆酶酶学性质做了初步的研究，结果显示，酶反应的最适温度为40℃-65℃，最适PH为3.0。在40℃，PH=3.0时，漆酶催化ABTS反应的米氏方程为 。 Fifteen white-rot fungi based on corn stalk were screened. One white-rot fungus Y10 with high selectivity value was obtained. The degradation of corn stalk was initially studied. The results indicated that the selectivity value was above 1 during the 30 day-cultivation and the highest was 3.88 after 15 days. The composition of untreated and treated stalk was analyzed through ultraviolet spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the composition of treated stalk was greatly altered and the degree of the degradation of lignin is greater than the cellulose. Y10 was identified as Cerrena sp. by ITS -5.8S rDNA sequence analysis. The influence of metal ions, carbon sources and nitrogen sources on corn stalk degradation by white-rot fungus was studied. While all seven metal ions could promote lignin degradation, the cellulose degradation was best inhibited at certain ion concentrations. Notably, when 0.036% MnSO4·H2O and 0.36% MgSO4·7H2O were added into the medium, the cellulose degradation was restrained to the extents that the coefficients of lignin selectivity rose to 34.40 and 20.17 respectively. It was also found that all carbon sources except maltose can promote lignin degradation. The addition of carbon sources other than microcrystalline cellulose significantly promoted cellulose degradation. The addition of the nitrogen sources, ammonium tartrate, ammonium sulfate, oxalate, ammonium chloride, resulted in remarkable inhibition to mycelium growth; the larger the concentrations of nitrogen sources are, the slower the mycelium grew. The addition of carbon sources and metal ions had less impact on the degradation of hemicellulose and selectivity value. Meanwhile, we optimized the conditions and culture medium of the lignin-degrading enzyme production of strain Y10. The results showed that in the initial culture medium, the Lac activity was highest at the 10th day, the MnP activity was highest at the 11th day and the LiP could not be detected. The optimum condition of Lac was at temperature 32 and PH =6.0 and the optimum condition of MnP was at temperature 32 and PH =6.5. The optimum carbon source for Lac was seminose, the optimum nitrogen source was ammonium tartrate, the optimum content of VA was 3 mmol/L, the optimum content of TW-80 was 1%. PB and RSM were used to optimize the culture medium of laccase by white-rot fungus Y10. The optimum culture medium was consist of glucose 10.00 g/L, ammonium tartrate 0.50 g/L, macro elements 296.50 ml/L, trace elements 100.00 ml/L, NTA 1.40 g/L, VA 5.00 mmol/L, TW-80 0.10%. Under the optimal conditions, the activity of laccase was 5282.56 U/L and the experimental value agreed with the predicted value 5162.73 U/L. The biomass was highest at the 14th day, the Lac activity was highest at the 20th day, the MnP activity was highest at the 16th day. The results of the studies on the characteristics of Lac showed that the optimum temperature for Lac activity is 40℃-65℃ ; the optimum PH for Lac activity is 3.0 and under 40℃，PH=3.0, the Michaelis-menten equation of Lac catalized ABTS oxidation was .

组合白腐真菌预处理木质纤维素原料的研究

木质纤维素原料种类多、分布广、数量巨大，通过燃料乙醇生产技术、厌氧沼气发酵技术将其转化成乙醇、沼气等二次能源，一定程度上可以缓解化石能源的不断消耗所带来的能源危机，也解决了农林废弃物引起的环境污染问题。其中以木质纤维素原料生产燃料乙醇，还可以避免以淀粉类和糖类原料生产燃料乙醇时带来的“与人争粮”等一系列问题。因此具有重要的经济效益、环境效益和社会效益。 然而，木质纤维素原料结构致密，木质素包裹在纤维素、半纤维素外围，导致其很难被降解利用，必须进行适当的预处理，去除木质素，打破原有的致密结构，利于原料的后续利用。因此，预处理成为木质纤维素原料能源化利用的关键。而目前预处理环节的费用过于昂贵，于是寻找一种高效、低成本的预处理方法是当今研究的热点。 本论文采用组合白腐真菌对木质纤维素原料进行生物预处理研究，与其他物理化学法相比，该法有着专一性较强、反应温和、不造成环境污染、成本低等优势。白腐真菌主要通过分泌木质素降解酶对木质素进行降解，从而破坏原料的致密结构，提高后续利用效率。所以木质素降解酶酶活的高低是影响原料预处理效果的一个关键因素。于是本论文首先通过将白腐真菌进行组合的方式提高木质素降解酶（漆酶，Lac）酶活；接着对组合菌的菌株相互作用机理进行研究，阐明组合菌Lac 酶活提高的原因，为菌株组合提高Lac 酶活这种方法的应用提供理论依据，同时也为后续组合白腐真菌预处理木质纤维素原料提供指导；进一步采用固态发酵和木质素降解酶两种方式对木质纤维素原料进行预处理研究，最大化去除木质素成分，破坏原料的致密结构；最终对预处理后原料的酶解糖化进行初步研究，为原料后续的能源化应用奠定基础。具体研究结果如下： （1） 以实验室保存的三株主要分泌Lac 的白腐真菌为出发菌株，筛选得到一组Lac 酶活明显提高的组合菌55+m-6，其中菌株55 为Trametes trogii sp.，m-6 为Trametes versicolor sp.，组合后Lac 酶活较单菌株分别提高24.13倍和4.07 倍。组合菌的最适产酶条件为pH 6.5、C/N 16:1、Tween 80 添加量为0.01%，在该条件下组合菌的Lac 酶活峰值比未优化时提高4.11倍。 （2） 对组合菌55+m-6 菌株间相互作用机理进行研究，发现菌株之间不存在抑制作用；平板培养时，菌丝交界处Lac 酶活最高并分泌棕色色素；液体培养时，菌株m-6 对组合后Lac 酶活的提高起着更为重要的作用：菌株m-6的菌块、过滤灭菌胞外物以及高温灭菌胞外物均能明显刺激菌株55 的Lac产生；菌株55、m-6 进行组合后，同工酶种类未发生增减，但有三种Lac同工酶浓度有所提高；对菌株胞外物进行薄层层析和质谱分析，结果表明组合前后菌株胞外物中各物质在浓度上存在较大的变化。推测组合菌Lac酶活的明显提高，主要是由于菌株m-6 胞外物中的一些物质能刺激菌株55 分泌大量Lac 进行代谢，且这些刺激物质并非菌株m-6 特有，菌株55自身也可以代谢生成，但是适当的浓度才能刺激Lac 的大量分泌。 （3） 将组合菌55+m-6 用于固态发酵预处理木质纤维素原料，发现其对玉米秆的降解程度最大，在粉碎度40 目、含水率65%的最优处理条件下，处理至第15d，秸秆失重率为41.24%，其中木质素、纤维素、半纤维素均有降解，且Lac 和纤维素酶（CMC）酶活以及还原糖量均达到峰值。 （4） 对玉米秆进行木质素降解酶预处理，发现Lac/1-羟基苯并三唑（HBT）系统对玉米秆木质素的降解效果最好，在最优处理条件时，即HBT 用量0.2%、处理时间1d、Lac 用量50U/g，木质素降解率可达12.60%。预处理后玉米秆的致密结构被破坏，比表面积增大，利于后续酶与纤维素、半纤维素成分的结合。 （5） 对预处理后的玉米秆进行酶解糖化，其中组合菌固态发酵预处理后玉米秆的糖化率比对照高4.33 倍；Lac/HBT 系统预处理后玉米秆的糖化率比对照高2.99％，糖化液中主要含有木糖、葡萄糖两种单糖。 There are many kinds and large quantities of lignocellulosic biomass widely distributed on the earth. They can be converted into secondary energy such as fuel ethanol, biogas, et al., which can relieve the energy crisis caused by consumption of fossil energy resources and solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by agriculture and forestry waste. Meanwhile, the production of fuel ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass can ensure food supply to human kind instead of starch- and sugar-containing raw materials. So the energy conversion of lignocellulosic biomass contributes considerable economic, environment and social benefits. However, lignocellulosic biomass has the compact structure, in which lignin surrounds cellulose and hemicellulose, so it must be pretreated before energy usage and pretreatment is one of the most critical steps in the energy conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. At present, the cost of pretreatment is too expensive, so looking for an efficient and low-cost pre-treatment method is one of recent research hot spots. In this research, combined white rot fungi pretreatment method was used, which had some advantages in low cost, high specificity, mild reacting conditions and friendly environmental effects compared with the other physical and chemical methods. White rot fungi secrete lignin degrading enzymes to degrade the content of lignin and damage the contact structure of lignocellulosic biomass, so the activity of the lignin degrading enzymes is the key factor to the degradation effect of raw materials. Firstly, the combined fungi with high laccase activity were screened; secondly, the interaction mechanism between strains was studied, and the cause of higher laccase activity after strains combination was also preliminary clarified; under the guidance of the mechanism, lignocellulosic biomass was pretreated by the combined fungi; lastly, the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic biomass was also preliminary studied; all of the researches could lay the foundation for the energy application of lignocellulosic biomass. The specific research results were as follows: (1) The combined fungi 55+m-6 with significant higher laccase activity were screened from the three white rot fungi stored in our lab which mainly secreted laccase. Strain 55 and strain m-6 were Trametes trogii sp. and Trametes versicolor sp., respectively. The laccase activity of combined fungi was 24.13 and 4.07-fold than strain 55 and strain m-6, respectively. The optimized condition for laccase production of the combined fungi in liquid medium was pH 6.5, C/N 16:1 and Tween 80 0.01%. In this optimized condition, the laccase activity of combined fungi was 4.11-fold higher comparing with which in non-optimized medium. (2) The interaction mechanism between strain 55 and strain m-6 was further studied, and no inhibition effect was observed. Brown pigment was secreted on the junction of the two strains on the plate, where the highest laccase activity was detected. Strain m-6 was much important to boost laccase activity of combined fungi in liquid medium, and strain 55 was stimulated by fungal plug, filter sterilized extracellular substances and high temperature sterilized extracellular substances of strain m-6 to produce laccase. The types of laccase isozymes did not change after combining strain 55 and strain m-6, but the concentrations of three types increased. Mass Spectrometry and TLC analysis of extracellular substances of each strain showed that concentration of some substances considerably changed after strains were combined. It was supposed that the cause of higher laccase activity of combined fungi was mainly due to some extracellular substances of strain m-6 with the appropriate concentration which stimulated laccase secretion of strain 55 and generated not only by strain m-6 but also by strain 55. (3) Combined fungi 55+m-6 were used to lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment with the type of solid-state fermentation. The highest degree of degradation of corn straw was obtained, including the rate of weight loss was 41.24% and the lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were degraded partially under the optimized condition of 40 mesh, 65% water content on 15th day. Laccase, CMCase activities and content of reducing sugar reached the maximum value on that day. (4) Lignin degrading enzymes from combined fungi 55+m-6 were used for corn straw pretreatment. The most remarkable degradation of lignin in corn straw with Lac/1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) system was observed, and the 12.60% lignin degradation was obtained under the optimized condition of 0.2% HBT, 50 U/g laccase for 1 d. After pretreated by Lac/HBT, the tight structure of corn straw was demolished and specific surface area increased, which had advantages for accessible of enzyme to cellulose and hemicellulose. (5) The corn straws pretreated by combined fungi 55+m-6 with the type of solid-state fermentation and Lac/HBT were used for enzymatic hydrolysis, and the saccharification rates of each pretreatment type were 4.33 times and 2.99% higher than CK, respectively. The enzymatic hydrolysis liquid of corn straw pretreated by Lac/HBT mainly contained xylose and glucose.

Assessing the effectiveness of chemical treatment with nanomaterials in improving the quality of different industrial effluents

Industrial activities are the major sources of pollution in all environments. Depending on the type of industry, various levels of organic and inorganic pollutants are being continuously discharged into the environment. Although, several kinds of physical, chemical, biological or the combination of methods have been proposed and applied to minimize the impact of industrial effluents, few have proved to be totally effective in terms of removal rates of several contaminants, toxicity reduction or amelioration of physical and chemical properties. Hence, it is imperative to develop new and innovative methodologies for industrial wastewater treatment. In this context nanotechnology arises announcing the offer of new possibilities for the treatment of wastewaters mainly based on the enhanced physical and chemical proprieties of nanomaterials (NMs), which can remarkably increase their adsorption and oxidation potential. Although applications of NMs may bring benefits, their widespread use will also contribute for their introduction into the environment and concerns have been raised about the intentional use of these materials. Further, the same properties that make NMs so appealing can also be responsible for producing ecotoxicological effects. In a first stage, with the objective of selecting NMs for the treatment of organic and inorganic effluents we first assessed the potential toxicity of nanoparticles of nickel oxide (NiO) with two different sizes (100 and 10-20 nm), titanium dioxide (TiO2, < 25 nm) and iron oxide (Fe2O3, ≈ 85x425 nm). The ecotoxicological assessment was performed with a battery of assays using aquatic organisms from different trophic levels. Since TiO2 and Fe2O3 were the NMs that presented lower risks to the aquatic systems, they were selected for the second stage of this work. Thus, the two NMs pre-selected were tested for the treatment of olive mill wastewater (OMW). They were used as catalyst in photodegradation systems (TiO2/UV, Fe2O3/UV, TiO2/H2O2/UV and Fe2O3/H2O2/UV). The treatments with TiO2 or Fe2O3 combined with H2O2 were the most efficient in ameliorating some chemical properties of the effluent. Regarding the toxicity to V. fischeri the highest reduction was recorded for the H2O2/UV system, without NMs. Afterwards a sequential treatment using photocatalytic oxidation with NMs and degradation with white-rot fungi was applied to OMW. This new approach increased the reduction of chemical oxygen demand, phenolic content and ecotoxicity to V. fischeri. However, no reduction in color and aromatic compounds was achieved after 21 days of biological treatment. The photodegradation systems were also applied to treat the kraft pulp mill and mining effluents. For the organic effluent the combination NMs and H2O2 had the best performances in reduction the chemical parameters as well in terms of toxicity reduction. However, for the mine effluent the best (TiO2/UV and Fe2O3/UV) were only able to significantly remove three metals (Zn, Al and Cd). Nonetheless the treatments were able of reducing the toxicity of the effluent. As a final stage, the toxicity of solid wastes formed during wastewater treatment with NMs was assessed with Chironomus riparius larvae, a representative species of the sediment compartment. Certain solid wastes showed the potential to negatively affect C. riparius survival and growth, depending on the type of effluent treated. This work also brings new insights to the use of NMs for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. Although some potential applications have been announced, many evaluations have to be performed before the upscaling of the chemical treatments with NMs.

Production and Characterization of Lignin Peroxidases from Mangrove Ascomycetes

The continually growing worldwide hazardous waste problem is receiving much attention lately. The development of cost effective, yet efficient methods of decontamination are vital to our success in solving this problem.Bioremediation using white rot fungi, a group of basidiomycetes characterized by their ability to degrade lignin by producing extracellular LiP, MnP and laccase have come to be recognized globally which is described in detail in Chapter 1.These features provide them with tremendous advantages over other micro-organisms.Chapter 2 deals with the isolation and screening of lignin degrading enzyme producing micoro-organisms from mangrove area. Marine microbes of mangrove area has great capacity to tolerate wide fluctuations of salinitie.Primary and secondary screening for lignin degrading enzyme producing halophilic microbes from mangrove area resulted in the selection of two fungal strains from among 75 bacteria and 26 fungi. The two fungi, SIP 10 and SIP ll, were identified as penicillium sp and Aspergillus sp respectively belonging to the class Ascomycetes .Specific activity of the purified LiP was 7923 U/mg protein. The purification fold was 24.07 while the yield was 18.7%. SDS PAGE of LiP showed that it was a low molecular weight protein of 29 kDa.Zymogram analysis using crystal violet dye as substrate confirmed the peroxidase nature of the purified LiP.The studies on the ability of purified LiP to decolorize different synthetic dyes was done. Among the dyes studied, crystal violet, a triphenyl methane dye was decolorized to the greatest extent.

Optimization of Lignin Peroxidase, Manganese Peroxidase, and Lac Production from Ganoderma lucidum Under Solid State Fermentation of Pineapple Leaf

This study was undertaken to isolate ligninase-producing white-rot fungi for use in the extraction of fibre from pineapple leaf agriwaste. Fifteen fungal strains were isolated from dead tree trunks and leaf litter. Ligninolytic enzymes (lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and laccase (Lac)), were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using pineapple leaves as the substrate. Of the isolated strains, the one showing maximum production of ligninolytic enzymes was identified to be Ganoderma lucidum by 18S ribotyping. Single parameter optimization and response surface methodology of different process variables were carried out for enzyme production. Incubation period, agitation, and Tween-80 were identified to be the most significant variables through Plackett-Burman design. These variables were further optimized by Box-Behnken design. The overall maximum yield of ligninolytic enzymes was achieved by experimental analysis under these optimal conditions. Quantitative lignin analysis of pineapple leaves by Klason lignin method showed significant degradation of lignin by Ganoderma lucidum under SSF

Application of X-ray technique in nondestructive evaluation of eucalypt wood

X-rays were initially used for the inspection of special-purpose wood pieces for quantitative evaluation properties of different species. X-ray densitometry has had its use expanded ill dendroclimatology of Picea engelmannii trees. Subsequent laboratories developed applications of X-ray densitometry for environmental, wood science and technology, and related areas. This paper describes the basic methodology of X-ray densitometry applied to the eucalypt wood analysis, as well its presenting the results of applications in three areas: (i) evaluation of wood biodegradation by white rot fungi, (ii) detection of sapwood and heartwood, and (iii) determination of the effect of management oil wood properties. The wood decayed by white rot fungi was detected by X-ray densitometry with it decreasing wood density due to the biodegradation of cell wall components. The sapwood and heartwood of eucalypts were separated in response to the attenuation of X-rays, reflected by the wood anatomical structure and chemical composition. Also, Ill eucalypt trees after the application of irrigation and i characteristic wood density profiles were detected. Ill addition, the significant potential of X-ray densitometry for eucalypt wood research and analysis is discussed.

Seleção de espécies de basidiomicetos produtoras de ligninases para caracterização e aplicação das enzimas sobre corantes aromáticos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The Selection Exerted by Oil Contamination on Mangrove Fungal Communities

Mangrove ecosystems are tropical environments that are characterized by the interaction between the land and the sea. As such, this ecosystem is vulnerable to oil spills. Here, we show a culture-independent survey of fungal communities that are found in the sediments of the following two mangroves that are located on the coast of Sao Paulo State (Brazil): (1) an oil-spill-affected mangrove and (2) a nearby unaffected mangrove. Samples were collected from each mangrove forest at three distinct locations (transect from sea to land), and the samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR-DGGE analysis. The abundance of fungi was found to be higher in the oil-affected mangrove. Visual observation and correspondence analysis (CA) of the ITS-based PCR-DGGE profiles revealed differences in the fungal communities between the sampled areas. Remarkably, the oil-spilled area was quite distinct from the unaffected sampling areas. On the basis of the ITS sequences, fungi that are associated with the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota taxa were most common and belonged primarily to the genera Epicoccum, Nigrospora, and Cladosporium. Moreover, the Nigrospora fungal species were shown to be sensitive to oil, whereas a group that was described as "uncultured Basidiomycota" was found more frequently in oil-contaminated areas. Our results showed an increase in fungal abundance in the oil-polluted mangrove regions, and these data indicated potential fungal candidates for remediation of the oil-affected mangroves.

Sistemi per la produzione di enzimi industriali finalizzati alla valorizzazione di scarti agroalimentari

La demolizione idrolitica delle pareti cellulari delle piante tramite enzimi lignocellulosici è quindi uno degli approcci più studiati della valorizzazione di scarti agricoli per il recupero di fitochimici di valore come secondary chemical building block per la chimica industriale. White rot fungi come il Pleurotus ostreatus producono una vasta gamma di enzimi extracellulari che degradano substrati lignocellulosici complessi in sostanze solubili per essere utilizzati come nutrienti. In questo lavoro abbiamo studiato la produzione di diversi tipi di enzimi lignocellulosici quali cellulase, xilanase, pectinase, laccase, perossidase e arylesterase (caffeoilesterase e feruloilesterase), indotte dalla crescita di Pleurotus ostreatus in fermentazione allo stato solido (SSF) di sottoprodotti agroalimentari (graspi d’uva, vinaccioli, lolla di riso, paglia di grano e crusca di grano) come substrati. Negli ultimi anni, SSF ha ricevuto sempre più interesse da parte dei ricercatori, dal momento che diversi studi per produzioni di enzimi, aromi, coloranti e altre sostanze di interesse per l' industria alimentare hanno dimostrato che SSF può dare rendimenti più elevati o migliorare le caratteristiche del prodotto rispetto alla fermentazione sommersa. L’utilizzo dei sottoprodotti agroalimentari come substrati nei processi SSF, fornisce una via alternativa e di valore, alternativa a questi residui altrimenti sotto/o non utilizzati. L'efficienza del processo di fermentazione è stato ulteriormente studiato attraverso trattamenti meccanici di estrusione del substrato , in grado di promuovere il recupero dell’enzima e di aumentare l'attività prodotta. Le attività enzimatiche prodotte dalla fermentazione sono strettamente dipendente della rimozione periodica degli enzimi prodotti. Le diverse matrici vegetali utilizzate hanno presentato diversi fenomeni induttivi delle specifiche attività enzimatiche. I processi SSF hanno dimostrato una buona capacità di produrre enzimi extracellulari in grado di essere utilizzati successivamente nei processi idrolitici di bioraffinazione per la valorizzazione dei prodotti agroalimentari.

Exploring the potential of novel biomixtures and Lentinula edodes fungus for the degradation of selected pesticides. Evaluation for use in biobed systems

An approach to reduce the contamination of water sourceswith pesticides is the use of biopurificaction systems. The active core of these systems is the biomixture. The composition of biomixtures depends on the availability of local agro-industrial wastes and design should be adapted to every region. In Portugal, cork processing is generally regarded as environmentally friendly and would be interesting to find applications for its industry residues. In this work the potential use of different substrates in biomixtures, as cork (CBX); cork and straw, coat pine and LECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregates), was tested on the degradation of terbuthylazine, difenoconazole, diflufenican and pendimethalin pesticides. Bioaugmentation strategies using the white-rot fungus Lentinula edodes inoculated into the CBX, was also assessed. The results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated the relevance of using natural biosorbents as cork residues to increase the capacity of pesticide dissipation in biomixtures for establishing biobeds. Furthermore, higher degradation of all the pesticides was achieved by use of bioaugmented biomixtures. Indeed, the biomixtures inoculated with L. edodes EL1were able to mineralize the selected xenobiotics, revelling that these white-rot fungi might be a suitable fungus for being used as inoculum sources in on-farm sustainable biopurification system, in order to increase its degradation efficiency. After 120 days, maximum degradation of terbuthylazine, difenoconazole, diflufenican and pendimethalin, of bioaugmented CBX, was 89.9%, 75.0%, 65.0% and 99.4%, respectively. The dominant metabolic route of terbuthylazine in biomixtures inoculated with L. edodes EL1 proceeded mainly via hydroxylation, towards production of terbuthylazine-hydroxy-2 metabolite. Finally, sorption process to cork by pesticides proved to be a reversible process,working cork as a mitigating factor reducing the toxicity to microorganisms in the biomixture, especially in the early stages.

Behavior of the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum on thermally-modified Eucalyptus grandis wood

In this study, we aimed evaluate the behavior of the brown-rot fungus Gloeophylum trabeum and white-rot fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus on thermally-modified Eucalyptus grandis wood. To this end, boards from five-year-eleven-month-old E. grandis trees, taken from the Duratex-SA company stock, were thermally-modified between 180 ºC and 220 ºC in the Laboratory of Wood Drying and Preservation at Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, Sao Paulo state Brazil. Samples of each treatment were tested according to the ASTM D-2017 (2008) technical norm. The accelerated decay caused by the brown-rot fungus G. trabeum was compared with the decay caused by the white-rot fungus P. sanguineus, studied by Calonego et al. (2010). The results showed that (1) brown-rot fungus caused greater decay than white-rot fungus; and (2) the increase in temperature from 180 to 220 ºC caused reductions between 28.2% and 70.0% in the weight loss of E. grandis samples incubated with G. trabeum.

长白山森林生态系统中的稀有和濒危多孔菌

In last 10 years,extensive field inventories were carried out to investigate Polypore species, the major wood decaying fungi in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve of Northeastern China. The following 27 species were treated as rare or threathened species: Amylocystis lapponica (Romell) Singer, Anomoporia albolutescens (Romell) Pouzar, Anomoporia bombycina (Fr.) Pouzar, Anomoporia vesiculosa Y.C. Dai & Niemel, Antrodia carbonica (Overh.) Ryvarden & Gilb., Antrodia crassa (P. Karst.) Ryvarden, Antrodiella citrinella Niemel & Ryvarden, Diplomitoporus flavescens (Bres.) Dománski, Donkioporia expansa (Desm.) Kotl. & Pouzar, Gloeophyllum carbonarium (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Ryvarden, Haploporus odorus (Sommerf.) Bondartsev & Singer, Inonotopsis subiculosa (Peck) Parmasto, Nigroporus ussuriensis (Bondartsev & Ljub.) Y.C. Dai & Niemela, Oxyporus sinensis X.L. Zeng, Parmastomyces taxi (Bondartsev) Y.C. Dai & Niemela, Phellinidium sulphurascens (Pilat) Y.C. Dai, Phellinus vaninii Ljub., Polyporus vassilievae Thorn, Pycnoporellus fulgens (Fr.) Donk, Skeletocutis brevispora Niemela, Skeletocutis ochroalba Niemela, Skeletocutis perennis Ryvarden, Trechispora candidissima (Schwein.) Bondartsev & Singer, Wolfiporia dilatohypha Ryvarden & Gilb., Wolfiporia curvispora Y.C. Dai, Wrightoporia avellanea (Bres.) Pouzar and Wrightoporia lenta (Oveh. & J. Lowe) Pouzar. Polypores are richer in East Asia than in Europe and North America, not only because of destructive galciations and fewer hosts in the latters, but also because of the geography. NE Asia is a link between Europe and North America. Changbaishan Nature Reserve is very rich in polypores, and over 260 species were recorded in the reserve. Some rare species in North America and Europe, for instance, Anomoporia albolutescens, Antrodia crassa, Diplomitoporus flavescens, Inonotopsis subiculosa and Skeletocutis ochroalba etc. were found in Changbaishan Nature Reserve as well, and these species are in fact rare in the earth. Most of the 27 species occurred on fallen trunks or rotten wood in the reserve, but some of them grew on living trees. 18 species occured on substrate of gymnosperms, and 9 species grew on wood of angiosperm.Among the 27 species, 7 species caused a brown rot,and 20 species produced a white rot. The morphology, substrate and ecology of each species were briefly discussed. The most important tool for polypore conservation is the conservation of their habitats, and it is necessary to study the ecology of the rare and threathened species of polypores in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve. Because most of polypores live on the substrate of fallen trunks and rotten wood, it is very important to keep such substrate in the ecosystem.