Biodegradation of brominated aromatics by cultures and laccase of Trametes versicolor

2-Bromophenol (1), 4-bromophenol (2), 2,4-dibromophenol (3), 2,6-dibromophenol (4), 2,4,6-tribromophenol (5) and tetrabromobis phenol A (6) (1 mM each) added to growing submerged cultures of Trametes versicolor CCBAS 612 were eliminated by 65-85% from the culture medium within 4 d. Extracellular laccase activity in the culture medium was influenced by the type of brominated compound added. Maximum level of laccase (63 U L-1) was found in the culture with 2-bromophenol. Tetrabromobisphenol A was degraded by a commercial laccase from Trametes versicolor in absence of any oxidation mediator, hydroxylated dibrominated compounds being detected as soluble reaction products by LC/MS. A significant degradation of brominated phenols by laccase was achieved only in the presence of ABTS structural characterization of major products suggesting reaction between bromophenol and ABTS radicals. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.