Although carbon nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are becoming increasing prevalent in manufacturing, there is still little knowledge on the fate of these materials when introduced into the environment. The size of CNTs limits the possibility of microbial decomposition to extracellular processes. This study investigates the enzymatic and physiological responses of the cultured saprotrophic white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor exposed to various SWCNTs under different nutrient media conditions. The nanomaterials used in this study represent a range of SWCNTs synthesized by the same method, and include unpurified (AP-SWCNT), purified and unfunctionalized (P2-SWCNT), and purified and carboxylated (P3-SWCNT) SWCNTs. The unpurified AP-SWCNT promoted an 8-fold increase over control in laccase production in T. versicolor while P3-SWCNT increased laccase production 2-fold. P2-SWCNT exposure did not significantly affect laccase activity although it did result in minor increases in peroxidase activity in nutrient rich media. Fungi displayed increased hyphal branching and pigment production in response to AP-SWCNT exposure; morphological changes that are consistent with metal exposure. Nutrient poor conditions amplified these responses. These results demonstrate that the response of saprotrophic fungi exposed to carbon nanomaterials is complex, depending not only on SWCNT type and purity but also media composition.

Response of cultured saprotrophic fungi to single-walled carbon nanotube exposure

246th National Meeting (2013)

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