Biodegradation of Model Solid Waste from Palm Oil production by Micromycete Strains

The study employed micromycetes of the genus Penicillium isolated from solid waste generated in palm oil production. For P. goetzii strain ZCMC-01M and P. chrysogenum strain ZCMC-02M, the lipolytic activity on tributyrin agar and the potential of palm oil as a growth substrate were revealed. Both strains showed specific activity of laccases, peroxidases and Mn-peroxidases. The biodegradation of solid waste by Penicillium strains was studied in the experiments conducted using a mixture of coconut fiber and palm oil in a 1:1 ratio. After 30-day incubation at 22℃ and 32℃, the mass fraction of dry matter in waste was found to decrease in both strains by not less than 11% and 7% respectively, compared to the control. The mass fraction of lipids decreased by not less than 9% and 6%, respectively. The maximum acid value at both temperatures was recorded for P. goetzii strain ZCMC-01M; it increased more than 4-fold compared to the control. For P. chrysogenum strain ZCMC-02M, the acid value increased 3.9 and 3.7 fold at 22℃ and 32℃ respectively. The results obtained indicate that representatives of P. chrysogenum and P. goetzii isolated from waste with a high content of palm oil can effectively biodegrade this type of waste.