Removal of 2,4-D herbicide from aqueous solution by Pleurotus ostreatus

Abstract

The presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aquatic environments is one of the consequences of pesticides use. The reduced capacity of conventional wastewater treatment plants to remove these compounds encourages the development of cost-effective and efficient remediation approaches. The present study aimed to assess the ability of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus to biotransform 2,4-D in liquid media. Firstly, three culture conditions were evaluated: S1 - liquid culture medium (20 g L-1 dextrose + 2 g L-1 yeast), S2 - liquid culture medium with addition of 2,4-D (5.36 g L-1), and S3 - autoclaved deionized water with addition of 2,4-D (5.36 g L-1). Along 18 days of incubation and in the presence of 2,4-D, it was observed that the most favorable condition for the mycelial development of P. ostreatus occurs in absence of dextrose and yeast. The ability of P. ostreatus to biotransform 2,4-D from liquid media was demonstrated through a decrease in herbicide concentration by up to 99.3% and 99.6% in S2 and S3, respectively.