The characteristics and enzyme activities of 4-chlorophenol biodegradation by Fusarium sp.

The effects of pH, temperature and sucrose addition on biodegradative capacity of Fusarium sp. HJ01 for 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) were examined, the property of dioxygenases produced by Fusarium sp. HJ01 during 4-CP degradation was investigated. The results show that Fusarium sp. HJ01 has a high capacity on degrading 4-CP in solution. The optimum values of pH, sucrose concentration and temperature are pH 7,1 g/L and 30 °C, respectively. The strain can produce chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase (CC12O) and chlorocatechol 2,3-dioxygenase (CC23O), which show the highest activities when 4-CP is used as the sole carbon source and energy, and the optimal values of pH and temperature are pH 7 and 50 °C for CC12O as well as pH 8 and 60 °C for CC23O. The kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions accord with the Michaelis–Menten equation. To our knowledge, this is the first study on biodegradation of 4-CP by Fusarium sp. HJ01.