Abstract

Nineteen strains of wood-inhabiting pores fungi, representing thirteen species and ten genera, collected from both natural and “anthropic” (urban) ecosystems in Cuba were tested for their ability to decolourise the industrial anthraquinonic dye Acid Blue 62 (AB 62) in laboratory conditions, in both solid and liquid media. On the basis of their decolourisation rate and growth inhibition, seven strains viz.Tinctoporellus epimiltinus, Trametes maxima, Perenniporia tephropora,Coriolopsis rigida, Hexagonia tenuis, Pachykytospora alabamae and Hexagonia hydnoides were selected for further studies. All the strains were able to decolourise partially or completely the AB62 dye added to Malt extract. Almost total decolourisation was obtained with T. maxima. Decolourising activity was also shown with an industrial textile effluent, containing Remazol Yellow RGB, Remazol Red RR, and Remazol Black B 133. Production of laccase, a ligninolytic enzyme possibly involved in decolourisation, was stimulated by AB 62 for all the strains tested; T. maxima showing the highest production. Lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase were not produced under the experimental conditions used. T. maxima could represent a potential candidate for biotechnological applications. The exploitation of local biodiversity in tropical area appears as a potentially productive approach for identifying promising microbial strains for industrial use.

Key words: Anthraquinones, dyes, bioremediation, decolourisation, laccase, textile effluent, Trametes maxima, white rot fungi, Acid Blue 62.