Search Results (71)

Plastic is a major organic pollutant globally but has only recently been recognized for its recalcitrant nature and resistance to degradation. Although vast amounts of plastic debris are overwhelming the planet, the search for solutions to its degradation has only recently begun. One of the most well-known agents of plastic biodegradation is the larvae of Tenebrio molitor, which can alter the structure of polymers like polystyrene. However, while this insect can cause deterioration, its frass, which still consists of polystyrene microplastics, remains a problem. We investigated whether this frass could be further degraded by strains of white rot fungi, specifically Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor. We introduced two PS derivatives (styrofoam and stirodure) to the fungi in liquid media and evaluated oxidative metabolism enzymes (laccase, Mn-peroxidase, lignin-peroxidase) activities, and the phenolic products of the potential aromatic polymer degradation in the media. Finally, we evaluated FTIR spectra to determine if we could detect changes in polystyrene molecule degradation. Both fungi produced high amounts of enzymes, particularly when the polystyrene was present. Large quantities of phenolic substances were simultaneously detected, some associated with polystyrene degradation. FTIR spectra of different polystyrene products confirmed species-specific mechanisms for their degradation by experimental fungal strains. Full article

The extensive use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine has led to their persistent environmental release, posing ecological and public health risks. Major sources include manufacturing effluents, excretion, aquaculture, and improper disposal, contributing to bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity. Mycoremediation is the fungal-mediated biodegradation of pharmaceuticals, offers a promising and sustainable approach to mitigate pharmaceutical pollution. Studies have reported that certain fungal species, including Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus, can degrade up to 90% of pharmaceutical contaminants, such as diclofenac, carbamazepine, and ibuprofen, within days to weeks, depending on environmental conditions. Fungi produce a range of extracellular enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases, alongside intracellular enzymes like cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, which catalyze the transformation of complex pharmaceutical compounds. These enzymes play an essential role in modifying, detoxifying, and mineralizing xenobiotics, thereby reducing their environmental persistence and toxicity. The effectiveness of fungal biotransformation is influenced by factors such as substrate specificity, enzyme stability, and environmental conditions. Optimal degradation typically occurs at pH 4.5–6.0 and temperatures of 20–30 °C. Recent advancements in enzyme engineering, immobilization techniques, and bioreactor design have improved catalytic efficiency and process feasibility. However, scaling up fungal-based remediation systems for large-scale applications remains a challenge. Addressing these limitations with synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and other biotechnological innovations could further enhance the enzymatic degradation of pharmaceuticals. This review highlights the enzymatic innovations, applications, and challenges of pharmaceutical mycoremediation, emphasizing the potential of fungi as a transformative solution for sustainable pharmaceutical waste management. Full article

Endocrine disruptors (EDs), including natural estrogens, such as 17β-estradiol (E2) and synthetic chemicals (e.g., bisphenol A (BPA) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)), pose environmental and human health risks due to their ability to interfere with hormonal systems, even at trace concentrations and can lead to developmental, reproductive, and carcinogenic effects. These persistent compounds often escape removal in conventional wastewater treatment processes, leading to environmental contamination and human exposure. Given their widespread presence in wastewater and resistance to conventional treatments, the use of fungi offers a promising bioremediation strategy. This review explores the potential of fungal biodegradation, particularly using the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor, in mitigating the estrogenic activity of EDs in wastewater. Laccase, an oxidative enzyme produced by white-rot fungus, shows high efficiency in degrading EDs, positioning fungal treatment as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional technologies. This systematic literature review was conducted using the Methodi Ordinatio, a multi-criteria decision-making methodology that allows for a structured selection of relevant studies and underscores the significant potential of fungal-based systems in addressing the global challenge of ED contamination in water environments. Full article

Laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized via the formation of interlinking enzyme aggregates (CLEA). Its free and immobilized enzymes were characterized, and its efficiency was tested via the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution. The resistances against thermal denaturation and pH variations were improved upon immobilization. Although the optimal pH of the enzyme was not modified by immobilization, the latter considerably increased its stability in the pH range of 2.0 to 8.0. The immobilized form was still 50% active after 6 months of storage, while the free form took 1 month to suffer a similar drop in activity. Both free and immobilized T. versicolor laccases were efficient in removing 200 µM BPA from aqueous solutions. The free laccase removed 79% and 92.9% of the compound during the first hour of reaction when 0.1 and 0.2 U were used, respectively. The immobilized form, on the other hand, removed 72% and 94.1% of 200 µM BPA during the first hour of reaction when 0.2 and 0.5 U were used, respectively. The immobilized enzyme allowed seven reuse cycles in the oxidation of ABTS and up to four cycles in the degradation of BPA. The results suggest that the laccase from T. versicolor may be useful in biological strategies aiming at degrading endocrine disruptors, such as BPA. Full article

Emerging pollutants such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) pose a critical threat to environmental and human health, while conventional wastewater treatments often fail to remove them. This study addresses this issue by evaluating the bioremediation potential of white-rot fungi for the removal of two OPFRs: tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP). Three fungal species—Ganoderma lucidum, Trametes versicolor, and Phanerochaete velutina—were screened for their degradation capabilities. Among these, G. lucidum and T. versicolor demonstrated removal efficiencies exceeding 99% for TBP, while removal rates for TCEP were significantly lower, with a maximum of 30%. The exploration of the enzyme role showed that cytochrome P450 is involved in the degradation while the extracellular laccase is not involved. Continuous batch experiments were performed using a trickle-bed reactor (TBR) operating under non-sterile conditions, a setting that closely resembles real-world wastewater treatment environments. G. lucidum was immobilized on oak wood chips, and the removal efficiencies were measured to be 85.3% and 54.8% for TBP and TCEP, respectively, over 10 cycles. Microbial community analysis showed that G. lucidum remained the dominant species in the reactor. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of fungal-based trickle-bed bioreactors, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative for addressing environmental pollution caused by highly recalcitrant pollutants. Full article

Lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFL) and laccase from Trametes versicolor were co-immobilized onto nanocellulose (NC), using a layer-by-layer approach. Initially, PFL was adsorbed onto NC through ionic and hydrophobic interactions. To achieve higher PFL immobilization yield and activity, NC was functionalized with aldehyde groups through periodate oxidation (NCox) or glutaraldehyde activation (NC-GA). FTIR analysis confirmed these chemical modifications. Among the functionalized NCs, NCox showed the best capacity to retain higher amounts of PFL (maximum load: 20 mg/g), and this support was selected to proceed with the co-immobilization experiments. In this process, NCox-250-PFL (NCox activated with 250 µmol/g of aldehyde groups) was covered with polyethyleneimine (PEI), laccase was co-immobilized, and a crosslinking step using glutaraldehyde was used to covalently attach the enzymes to the support, producing the biocatalyst NCox-250-PFL-PEI-Lac-GA. Co-immobilized enzymes presented higher thermal stability (50 °C) than soluble enzymes; co-immobilized laccase retained 61.1% of its activity after 24 h, and PFL retained about 90% after 48 h of deactivation at 50 °C. In operational stability assays, the heterogeneous biocatalysts maintained more than 45% of their activity after five cycles of pNPB hydrolysis and ABTS oxidation. This co-immobilized biocatalyst, with its high stability and activity retention, is a promising multi-active heterogeneous biocatalyst for use in cascade reactions of industrial interest. Full article

This study evaluates the mycoremediation potential of wild mushroom species from Chiapas, Mexico, specifically for high copper concentrations. Nine fungal carpophores were collected from tropical forests near coffee plantations. The morphological characteristics of the fungal strains and fruiting bodies were analyzed. Each specimen was identified through sequencing using the ITS₁ and ITS₄ primers. The ability to tolerate different concentrations of copper was evaluated by determining the fungal mycelial growth inhibition potential. Copper bioaccumulation by the fungi was quantified using biosorption assays with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The enzymatic activity of laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase from the fungal species was also determined in the presence of copper. Phylogenetic analysis identified the fungal species as Agaricus bisporus, A. subrufescens, Calvatia fragilis, Ganoderma coffeatum, G. lucidum, Pleurotus djmor, P. floridanus, Trametes elegans, and T. versicolor, all classified within the Agaromycetes class. The nine fungal species exhibited varying abilities to tolerate Cu²⁺ concentrations from 30 to 100 mg L⁻¹. At 30 and 60 mg L⁻¹ Cu²⁺, the G. lucidum H14-35 strain demonstrated the highest biosorption capacity, reaching 76.97%. Overall, the mushrooms in this study showed strong Cu²⁺ tolerance and biosorption, making them promising biomaterials for remediating copper-contaminated soils. Full article

A stable and efficient biocatalyst was prepared by encapsulating Trametes versicolor laccase using an acrylic acid-grafted β-cyclodextrin hydrogel (Lac-CD-PAA). Scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiments showed that there were regularly distributed channels in the spongy Lac-CD-PAA. In addition, a large number of mesopores and macropores existed in the wall of the hydrogel lamellae. This network structure reduced the diffusion resistance of the hydrogel to the target substrate. The relative activity of the resulting Lac-CD-PAA could be maintained at 35.8% after six cycles of use. Lac-CD-PAA exhibited higher thermal and chemical stability compared to free laccase. The negative charge on the surface of Lac-CD-PAA gives it the ability to pretreat cationic dyes. In six consecutive methylene blue decolorization tests, Lac-CD-PAA decolorized better than free laccase. The results showed that the prepared β-cyclodextrin-based composite hydrogel was a good carrier for laccase. Full article

Plant-based protein is considered a sustainable protein source and has increased in demand recently. However, products containing plant-based proteins require further modification to achieve the desired functionalities akin to those present in animal protein products. This study aimed to investigate the effects of enzymes as cross-linking reagents on the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins in which lupin and whey proteins were chosen as representatives, respectively. They were hybridised through enzymatic cross-linking using two laccases (laccase R, derived from Rhus vernicifera and laccase T, derived from Trametes versicolor) and transglutaminase (TG). The cross-linking experiments were conducted by mixing aqueous solutions of lupin flour and whey protein concentrate powder in a ratio of 1:1 of protein content under the conditions of pH 7, 40 °C for 20 h and in the presence of laccase T, laccase R, or TG. The cross-linked mixtures were freeze-dried, and the powders obtained were assessed for their cross-linking pattern, colour, charge distribution (ζ-potential), particle size, thermal stability, morphology, solubility, foaming and emulsifying properties, and total amino acid content. The findings showed that cross-linking with laccase R significantly improved the protein solubility, emulsion stability and foaming ability of the mixture, whereas these functionalities were lower in the TG-treated mixture due to extensive cross-linking. Furthermore, the mixture treated with laccase T turned brownish in colour and showed a decrease in total amino acid content which could be due to the enzyme’s oxidative cross-linking mechanism. Also, the occurrence of cross-linking in the lupin and whey mixture was indicated by changes in other investigated parameters such as particle size, ζ-potential, etc., as compared to the control samples. The obtained results suggested that enzymatic cross-linking, depending on the type of enzyme used, could impact the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins, potentially influencing their applications in food. Full article

Grape pomace (GP) is considered a natural source of bioactive compounds. To improve the extractability of bioactive compounds, in this work, GP was biologically treated for 15 days with the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor in laboratory jars and a tray bioreactor under solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. During SSF, the activity of lignolytic (laccase and manganese peroxidase) and hydrolytic (xylanase, cellulase, β-glucosidase, and invertase) enzymes was measured, with the activities of laccase (2.66 U/g_db in jars and 0.96 U/g_db in the bioreactor) and xylanase (346.04 U/g_db in jars and 200.65 U/g_db in the bioreactor) being the highest. The effect of the complex enzyme system was reflected in the changes in the chemical composition of GP with increasing ash, crude protein, and free fat content: 28%, 10%, and 17% in the laboratory jars, and 29%, 11%, and 7% in the bioreactor, respectively. In addition, the biological treatment improved the extractability of 13 individual phenolic compounds. Therefore, the applied SSF technique represents an effective strategy to improve the profile of phenolic compounds and the nutritional composition of GP, promoting their valorization and opening the door for potential applications in the food industry and other sectors. Full article

The escalating environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based adhesives have spurred an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, is a promising candidate; however, its limited water resistance hinders broader application. The aim of this study is to develop a new chitosan-based adhesive with improved properties. The polydopamine association with chitosan presents a significant increase in adhesiveness compared to pure chitosan. Polydopamine is synthesized by the enzymatic action of laccase from Trametes versicolor at pH = 4.5, in the absence or presence of chitosan. This pH facilitates chitosan’s solubility and the occurrence of catechol in its reduced form (pH < 5.5), thereby increasing the final adhesive properties. To further enhance the adhesive properties, various crosslinking agents were tested. A multi-technique approach was used for the characterization of formulations. The formulation based on 3% chitosan, 50% polydopamine, and 3% xanthan gum showed a spectacular increase in adhesive properties when tested on glass, cardboard and textile. This formulation increased water resistance, maintaining the adhesion of a sample soaked in water for up to 10 h. For cardboard and textile, material rapture occurred, in mechanical tests, prior to adhesive bond failure. Furthermore, all the samples showed antiflame properties, expanding the benefits of their use. Comparison with commercial glues confirms the remarkable adhesive properties of the new formulation. Full article

The genome of Trametes versicolor encodes multiple laccase isozymes, the expression of which is responsive to various conditions. Here, we set out to investigate the potential of orange peel extract as an inducer of laccase production in this white-rot fungus, in comparison to the previously identified inducing chemical compound, veratryl alcohol. For four geographically distinct T. versicolor strains, a positive correlation has been observed between their oxidative activity and incubation time in liquid cultures. The addition of 20% orange peel extract or 5 mM veratryl alcohol caused a rapid increase in the oxidative potential of T. versicolor M99 after 24 h, with a more pronounced effect observed for the orange peel extract. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of the induced laccase activity, a transcriptional gene expression analysis was performed for the seven individual laccase genes in T. versicolor, revealing the upregulation of several laccase genes in response to the addition of each inducer. Notably, the gene encoding TvLac5 demonstrated a substantial upregulation in response to the addition of 20% orange peel extract, likely contributing to the observed increase in its oxidative potential. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that orange peels are a promising agro-industrial side stream for implementation as inducing agents in large-scale laccase production with T. versicolor. Full article

Cordia elaeagnoides A. DC. is an endemic species of Mexico valued for its timber. Renowned for its durability, resistance, and versatile applications in medicine, this tree holds significant commercial importance. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) extract from the heartwood of C. elaeagnoides was studied. Through chromatographic column purification, the compound 8-(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal, also known as alliodorin, was successfully isolated. Identification of alliodorin was confirmed through comprehensive analysis utilizing NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry techniques. Inhibition tests were conducted using both the THF extract and alliodorin against the rotting fungus Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, employing the agar well diffusion assay. Remarkably, alliodorin exhibited 100% inhibition with a median lethal concentration of 0.079 mg/mL and a total lethal concentration of 0.127 mg/mL, in comparison to the commercial fungicide benomyl, which requires a concentration of 1 mg/mL. In silico analysis through molecular docking on the laccase enzyme was proposed in order to explain the inhibitory activity against the fungus T. versicolor, as this enzyme is one of the main sources of nutrients and development for the fungus. Based on these findings, we deduced that alliodorin holds promise as a potent antifungal agent, potentially applicable in a wide array of technological and environmentally friendly initiatives. Full article

In the present investigation, an ecofriendly magnetic inorganic-protein hybrid system-based enzyme immobilization was developed using partially purified laccase from Trametes versicolor (TvLac), Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, and manganese (Mn), and was successfully applied for synthetic dye decolorization in the presence of enzyme inhibitors. After the partial purification of crude TvLac, the specific enzyme activity reached 212 U∙mg total protein⁻¹. The synthesized Fe₃O₄/Mn₃(PO₄)₂-laccase (Fe₃O₄/Mn-TvLac) and Mn₃(PO₄)₂-laccase (Mn-TvLac) nanoflowers (NFs) exhibited encapsulation yields of 85.5% and 90.3%, respectively, with relative activities of 245% and 260%, respectively, compared with those of free TvLac. One-pot synthesized Fe₃O₄/Mn-TvLac exhibited significant improvements in catalytic properties and stability compared to those of the free enzyme. Fe₃O₄/Mn-TvLac retained a significantly higher residual activity of 96.8% over that of Mn-TvLac (47.1%) after 10 reuse cycles. The NFs showed potential for the efficient decolorization of synthetic dyes in the presence of enzyme inhibitors. For up to five reuse cycles, Fe₃O₄/Mn-TvLac retained a decolorization potential of 81.1% and 86.3% for Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 and xylene cyanol, respectively. The synthesized Fe₃O₄/Mn-TvLac showed a lower acute toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri than pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles did. This is the first report of the one-pot synthesis of biofriendly magnetic protein-inorganic hybrids using partially purified TvLac and Mn. Full article

In efforts to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and promote recycling biowaste, there is an interest in the production of post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater (HTL-AP) from the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process that converts wet biomass into biocrude oil. This study explores ways of transforming potentially toxic HTL-AP into a fertilizer source for hydroponic cropping systems. This study specifically investigates the integration of the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor with nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) to convert the organic nitrogen compounds into inorganic nitrogen while also producing the enzyme laccase, which has been shown to remove toxic compounds. This study aims to increase the concentration of nitrate-N to valorize wastewater as a suitable fertilizer by measuring several parameters, including laccase activity, pH, nitrate-N, and ammonia/ammonium-N concentrations, and analyzes interactions to optimize the conversion process. The data support the claim that the simultaneous inoculation of T. versicolor and nitrifying bacteria significantly increases nitrate-N concentrations in HTL-AP, as it increased by 17 times, or an increase of 32.69 mg/L. In addition, HTL-AP treated with T. versicolor and nitrifying bacteria reduced the treatment time by 120 h, highlighting a reduction in personnel time and energy consumption. Therefore, this research accentuates sustainability through fungal and bacterial treatments to develop eco-friendly hydroponic fertilizers. Future research should explore the potential of utilizing the combination of T. versicolor and nitrifying bacteria for the treatment of other industrial wastewaters. Full article