Biodegradation of crude oil from saline waste water using white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

In this research, the effect of salinity on fungal growth and enzyme production ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. The ability of this fungus in the biodegradation of crude oil pollution in saline waste waters like Bilge water was also studied. Brine with salinities of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g/l were selected for cultivation of the fungus. The statistical analysis of data were also provided using F-test with significance level of 0.05 to specify whether the results are significant or not significant. The p-values revealed that salinity had not any effect on the fungal growth i.e. there was not a significant difference in fungal growths in different salinities. Also, production of MnP enzyme was not affected up to the salinity of 20 g/l, but it decreased in 30 and 40 g/l salinities. The effect of salinity on the LiP enzyme activity was more noticeable, and the activity of this enzyme was inhibited completely (100%) in the salinity of 40 g/l. Furthermore, the effect of two surfactants, namely NAR-111-2 and Tween80, was investigated on removal efficiency of crude oil by fungus. The results revealed the positive effect of these surfactants on crude oil removal efficiency. Based on the results of this study the P. chrysoisporium is able to degrade crude oil from saline waste water adequately as a result of the appropriate enzymes activity.