Degradation of 4-nitrophenol by the white-rot polypore Trametes versicolor

Abstract

The ability of Trametes versicolor strain BAFC 2234 to degrade4-nitrophenol in vivo and in vitro was evaluated. T. versicolor grew inthe presence of 0.5 mM 4-nitrophenol and degraded 98.4% of this toxiccompound in less than 96 h. The strain secreted different ligninolyticoxidoreductases such as laccase, Mn-peroxidase and versatile peroxidase.Substantial conversion of nitrophenol, a typical high-redox potentialphenolic substrate, is reported for versatile peroxidase for the firsttime; 2,4-dinitrophenol and a dimer were identified as products. T.versicolor immobilized on natural sponge-like material from Luffaaegyptiaca removed 97% of 4-nitrophenol (1 mM) over a period of 72 h. 4-Nitrophenol phytotoxicity decreased noticeably after fungal treatment.