The presence of 17-a-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) in the environment is causing harmful effects on the ecosystems around wastewater. Certain strands of fungi have been proven to degrade complex molecules such as Bisphenol A and lignin. Two strands of fungi were used, Lentinula edodes and P. chrysosporium to degrade EE2. Both fungi have lignolytic enzymes that are important in the degradation process. Lentinula edodes contain the enzymes lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and lacasse that are important in the degradation process. P. chrysosporium was chosen because of a recent discovery that it contains very little or no lacasse enzyme. We have successfully degraded EE2 completely in 8 days with Lentinula edodes. This process is monitored over time using LC-MS. We are currently working to determine the degradation products and their level of estrogenic activity. Prelimary results of P. chrysosporium with EE2 show that degradation is significantly slower than the drug with Lentinula edodes.

Bioremediation technology using <i>Lentinula edodes</i> and <i>Phanerochaete chrysosporium</i> to remove trace levels of 17-α-ethinylestradiol in wastewater

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Bioremediation technology using Lentinula edodes and Phanerochaete chrysosporium to remove trace levels of 17-α-ethinylestradiol in wastewater