Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Cladosporium sphaerospermum isolated from an aged PAH contaminated soil

The ability of a Deuteromycete fungus, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, previously isolated from soil of an aged gas manufacturing plant, to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was investigated. This strain was able to degrade PAHs in non-sterile soils (average 23%), including high molecular weight PAHs. after 4 weeks of incubation. In a microsm experiment: PAH depletion was clearly correlated to fungal establishment. In liquid culture, this strain degraded rapidly benzo(a)pyrene during its early exponential phase of growth (18% after 4 days of incubation). Among extracellular ligninolytic enzyme activities tested, only laccase activity was detected in liquid culture in the absence or in presence of benzo(a)pyrene. C. sphaerospermum might be a potential candidate for an effective bioremediation of aged PAH-contaminated soils. (C) 2004 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.