Removal of Heavy Metal and Degradation of Organic Compounds in Fungi Waste Water
摘要
Water treatment via pollutant removal could be achieved using fungi cells. This book chapter summarizes the removal of heavy metals and degradation of organic compounds in fungi wastewater. Through distinct enzymatic pathways targeting different polymers, it presents contemporary insights into various fungal species contributing to organic degradation, including drugs, plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. The fungi species such as Eurotiomycetes contain the most significant plastic degraders in the Fungi kingdom. Moreover, the existence of particular pro-oxidant ions may enhance the degradation process. The enzyme-mediated oxidation or hydrolysis generates functional groups that enhance the hydrophilicity of polymers, hence degrading the high molecular weight polymer into lower molecular weight fragments. Among several fungi species, white rot fungi have been demonstrated to be the most efficient microbes in decomposing artificial pigments and dyes. The future trends of the series on organic degradation, such as plastic using fungi, will be included. This book chapter highlighted the key factors affecting fungi performance.