Biodegradation of synthetic dyes by acomycetes <i>Microdochium nivale</i>

The ability of natural isolates of the phytopathogenic micromycete Microdochium nivale (Ascomycota), which causes snow mold in agricultural plants, to biodegradate anthraquinone, anthracene-like and diamino triphenylmethane dyes when cultivated in submerged culture has been established. The degree of biodegradation depended on the type of dye and the strain of the mushroom culture, the greatest biodegradation ability was observed in relation to malachite green, the discoloration of the dye was up to 65%. Neutral red was discolored by the enzymes of the studied ascomycetes by 28–40%, remazole brilliant blue – by a maximum of 26%. The most intensive biodegradation of diamino triphenylmethane and anthracene-like dyes was noted in the first 4 days after the introduction of dyes into the growing medium (8-day M. nivale cultures). The bleaching of the anthraquinone series dye took place gradually from day 1 to day 28 of cultivation. Correlation between the dynamics of biodegradation of dyes by M. nivale strains and enzyme activity of the ligninolytic complex of this ascomycete indicated a key role in the process of extracellular lignin- and Mn-peroxidases. Given the ubiquity of fungi from the Ascomycota department, the high activity of phenolic oxidizing enzymes and their potential in the decomposition of a wide range of aromatic compounds, micromycetes can become active objects in the industrial bioconversion of lignocellulose, the paint and textile industries, as well as be used for environmental bioremediation.