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Optimum pH for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate degradation by Fusarium culmorum in submerged fermentation
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Researchers found that the soil fungus Fusarium culmorum can break down DEHP, a plasticizer used in PVC plastics and classified as an endocrine disruptor, with degradation efficiency varying by pH level. Optimizing fermentation conditions could make this fungus a useful bioremediation tool for plastic additive contamination in soils.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer widely used in the manufacture of plastics, and it is an environmental contaminant. This compound is considered as potential human health risks due to their endocrine-disrupting effects. Due to these concerns, there is a need to search of environmental remediation alternatives. Fusarium culmorum has shown capability to degrade DEHP due its esterase production. Optimization of the pH is crucial in the fermentation process, since the cultivation conditions are essential for a successful enzyme production by the organism. In this work, the specific growth rate, maximum biomass, esterase activity and enzymatic yield parameters were determined for F. culmorum grown at different pH values (5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5 and 9.0) in a medium added with DEHP (1000 mg/L) as sole carbon source in submerged fermentation. It was found that the greatest enzymatic yield parameters were observed at pH values of 5.5 and 6.5, showing that these values were the optimum pH values for DEHP degradation by F. culmorum.
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A novel and efficient strategy for the biodegradation of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate by Fusarium culmorum
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Scientists discovered that the fungus Fusarium culmorum can break down nearly 97% of DEHP, a common plasticizer found in many plastic products, within about 13 days. DEHP is an endocrine disruptor that raises health concerns when it leaches from plastics into food and water. This biodegradation approach could help clean up DEHP contamination that results from microplastic breakdown in the environment.
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Researchers found that the fungus Fusarium culmorum produces esterase enzymes in response to the plasticizer DEHP, with peak activity occurring at 3 g/L DEHP combined with 0.5 g/L calcium ion — suggesting calcium promotes enzymatic breakdown of this common plastic additive and environmental pollutant.
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