Decolorization of Rhodamine B by the white rot fungus

The decolorization of rhodamine B was examined using the white rot fungus Coriolopsis caperata, which was isolated from the Peat Swamp Forest at CIMTROP in Sebangau, Central Kalimantan. The experiments were carried out with varying concentrations of dye (10-100 mg/L) and incubation times (2-16 days) in a modified glucose-peptone medium. During the decolorization process, the enzyme activity of laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) was monitored. The findings revealed a clear link between enzyme activity and decolorization efficiency of C. caperata. The ideal conditions for fungal laccase synthesis and decolorization occurred at a dye concentration of 60 mg/L and were achieved for 12 days. These findings suggest that the white rot fungus C. caperata, isolated from the Central Kalimantan Forest could be developed into a novel bioremediation strategy for synthetic dyes.