Carbonization reduces the toxicity of metal-organic framework MOF-199 to white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have various applications because of their unique structures and properties. The environmental impacts of MOF materials are crucial for their healthy development and the facile detoxification approaches are highly demanded. Herein, we proposed that carbonization could reduce the toxicity of MOF materials to white-rot fungi and alleviate inhibition to decomposition activity, which biodegrade straw and wood in carbon cycle. A representative MOF material MOF-199 was facilely carbonized by annealing to prepare CMOF-199. The bio-effects of MOF-199 and CMOF-199 to white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were compared. MOF-199 inhibited the fresh weight gain of P. chrysosporium, destroyed the mycelia and induced more oxidative stress than CMOF-199. In particular, MOF-199 completely inhibited the laccase and manganese peroxidase activities at 100 mu g/mL, and the decomposition activity of P. chrysosporium was decreased according to the decoloration of reactive brilliant red X-3B. In contrast, CMOF-199 had very limited influence on the enzyme activities and decomposition capability. Our results collectively highlighted that carbonization reduced the release of Cu2+ from MOF-199 and efficiently reduced the environmental hazards of MOF materials to reserve the biodegradation activity of white-rot fungi.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that carbonization treatment can reduce the toxicity of metal-organic framework materials to white-rot fungi and protect their decomposition ability. Compared to untreated MOF materials, carbonized materials are more conducive to fungal enzyme activity and decomposition capability, while reducing environmental hazards.