Unlocking the biodegradative potential of native white-rot fungi: a comparative study of fiberbank organic pollutant mycoremediation

Fiberbanks refer to a type of fibrous sediment originated by the forestry and wood pulping industry in Sweden. These anthropogenic sediments are significantly contaminated with potentially toxic elements, and a diverse array of organic pollutants. Additionally, these sediments are of environmental concern due to their potential role in greenhouse gas emissions. Given the environmental risks posed by these sediments, the development of effective remediation strategies is of critical importance. However, no specialized methods have been established yet for the cleanup of this specific type of contaminated sediments. To identify effective fungal species for the mycoremediation of the fiberbank substrate, we performed a detailed screening experiment. In this research, we primarily aimed at assessing both the growth capacity and the proficiency in degrading organic pollutants of 26 native white-rot fungi (WRF) species. These species were sourced from natural forest environments in northern Sweden. The experimental setup involved evaluating the WRF on plates containing fiberbank material with a central Hagem-agar disc to closely monitor the interaction of these species with fiberbank substrates. Among the fungi tested, <i>Laetiporus sulphureus</i> exhibited the highest growth area percentage at 72%, followed by <i>Hymenochaete tabacina</i> at 68% and <i>Diplomitoporus crustulinus</i> at 67%. For the removal of 2-3 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), <i>Phellinus punctatus</i> led with 68%, with <i>Cystostereum muraii</i> at 57% and <i>Diplomitoporus crustulinus</i> at 49%. Regarding the removal percentage of 4-6 ring PAHs, <i>Diplomitoporus crustulinus</i> showed the highest efficiency at 44%, followed by <i>Phlebia tremellosa</i> at 40% and <i>Phlebiopsis gigantea</i> at 28%.