4. Role of Fungi in Bioremediation

Fungi are particularly effective  in bioremediation because of their metabolic diversity, capability to accumulate or change organic molecules and hazardous metals, and ability to breakdown complex contaminants.

Fungi produce a wide range of enzymes (e.g., laccases, peroxidases) that break down complex organic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and persistent organic compounds into less harmful substances.

Fungi often work in synergy with bacteria, enhancing the breakdown of pollutants through cooperative metabolic processes

Fungi can remove heavy metals from contaminated environments through biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and bio volatilization, making them effective for soils polluted with toxic metals.

Fungi are used to clean up both terrestrial and aquatic environments, including soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, as well as water bodies polluted with pharmaceuticals and plastics.

White rot fungi are particularly noted for their ability to degrade a wide range of toxic xenobiotics, including synthetic dyes, PAHs, and emerging pollutants.

Combining fungal bioremediation with other methods (physical, chemical, or biological) increases efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability for large-scale or on-site applications.

Examples of Fungi in Bioremediation

  • White Rot Fungi (WRF):

    • Notable species: Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, Trametes versicolor, Lentinula edodes
    • Capable of degrading a wide range of pollutants, including synthetic dyes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and phenolic compound.
    • Their powerful enzymes (like laccases and peroxidases) break down complex and toxic chemicals.

  • Aspergillus Species:

    • Examples: Aspergillus hiratsukae, Aspergillus terreus
    • Effective in removing heavy metals such as copper from contaminated soils, with A. terreus showing high tolerance and accumulation capacity.
    • Also involved in the degradation of various organic pollutants.

  • Other Fungi:

    • Non-ligninolytic fungi from the Ascomycota and Zygomycota phyla can degrade chlorinated hydrocarbons and PAHs, sometimes outperforming white rot fungi under certain conditions.
    • Filamentous fungi and yeasts are also used for degrading industrial effluents and can be engineered for specific bioremediation tasks