Decolorization of laundry effluent by filamentous fungi

Abstract

This study aimed to select fungi with the potential to decolorize effluent and optimize culture conditions using the methodology of experimental design. Twenty fungi were inoculated into flasks containing the liquid synthetic medium every 24 h; aliquots were over 10 days. The culture conditions and stationary stirring of 130 rpm were evaluated. After selecting, the best fungi were subjected to an experimental design and evaluation of the production of the ligninolytics enzymes. Fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporum CCT 1999, Lentinula edodes CCT 4519 and Curvularia lunata UFPEDA 885 reduced 100% the color of the effluent during growth under agitation while the fungus Aspergillus sp. F 75 reduced 98% the color of the effluent under the same condition. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between the culture conditions evaluated, with greater efficiency of decolorization of textile effluent under agitation for most fungi evaluated. The experiment 19 was noted for facilitating discoloration in 99% of the effluent. The kinetics of discoloration shows that the fungus P. chrysosporum CCT 1999 and C. lunata UFPEDA 885 stand out for discoloration among the fungi studied. The four selected fungi proved to be good producers of the enzyme laccase.

Key words: Effluent, decolorization, fungi.