Effects of soil microflora on bioremediation by Phanerochaete chrysosporum

The interaction of Phanerochaete chrysosporium with soil microflora was studied. The strategy was first to develop an inexpensive system, replacing costly contaminant assays with the visual convenience of dye decolorization. The interactions of soil microflora with P. chrysosporium were then explored using dye decolorization as an indicator of bioremediation. Growth antagonism of P. chrysosporium by isolated soil microflora was investigated for potential mechanisms.; Decolorizations of the polymeric dyes Blue Dextran and Poly R-478 were correlated with purified P. chrysosporium ligninase activity. The pH profiles of polymeric dye decolorization and veratryl alcohol oxidase activity by lignin peroxidase isozyme H1 were similar. Blue Dextran and Poly R-478 strongly inhibited the measurement of veratryl alcohol oxidase activity using purified lignin peroxidase H1.; Decolorization was coincident with the mineralization of {dollar}sp{lcub}14{rcub}{dollar}C pyrene by P. chrysosporium on a solid low nitrogen medium. A layer of native soil between the pyrene and P. chrysosporium inhibited both dye decolorization and pyrene mineralization rates. Sterile soil inhibited decolorization and pyrene mineralization significantly less than the native soil. Aqueous soil extracts inhibited dye decolorization by P. chrysosporium on a low nitrogen medium at pH 6.0, but increased decolorization in a pH 5.0 medium. Soil extracts passed through a sterile 0.2-{dollar}mu{dollar}m filter showed no ability to affect decolorization by P. chrysosporium.; Bacteria from polluted and agricultural soils antagonize the growth of P. chrysosporium on solid media. The antagonistic bacteria in a soil contaminated with TNT included fluorescent pseudomonads. Antagonism by fluorescent pseudomonads was variable according to the pH, carbon, and nitrogen sources used in the growth medium. A fluorescent siderophore produced by a P. putida strain did not inhibit the growth of P. chrysosporium but pseudomonad isolates capable of producing phenazine derivatives were strongly inhibitory.