Biodegradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by white-rot fungus
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsCarmen A. Lebron, Leslie A. Karr, Tudor Fernando, Steven D. Aust
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Abstract
There is provided a process for biodegradation of TNT (2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene) wherein the biodegradation is done utilizing the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain BKM F-1767, wherein waste containing TNT is treated with the fungus under predetermined conditioning and for a time period sufficient for biodegradation to occur rendering the waste ecologically acceptable to the environment.
Claims5
A process of biodegrading 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene contained in a liquid to improve the environmental characteristics thereof comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing in a liquid culture medium a white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain VKM F-1767 which is in a secondary metabolic state;
- (b) biodegrading the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in the liquid by immersing the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in the liquid culture medium for a sufficient time period to allow the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain VKM F-1767 to degrade the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene, while at least at a predetermined time interval exposing the fungus to oxygen.
A process of biodegrading 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene contained in a liquid to improve the environmental characteristics thereof comprising the steps of:
- (a) growing a white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chyrsosporium strain VKM F-1767 in a liquid culture medium in the presence of certain nutrients including nitrogen;
- (b) causing the white-rot fungus to enter a secondary metabolic state by limiting the nutrient nitrogen and providing a carbon source for hydrogen peroxide production;
- (c) biodegrading 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene by adding the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene to the liquid culture medium for a sufficient time period for the white-rot fungus to convert the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene to carbon dioxide, while at least at three day intervals exposing the white-rot fungus to oxygen.
A process of biodegrading 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene contained in soil to improve the environmental characteristics thereof comprising the steps of:
- (a) inoculating a nutrient containing nitrogen with a white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain VKM F-1767;
- the white-rot fungus is then caused to enter a secondary metabolic state by limiting the nutrient nitrogen and supplying a carbon source for hydrogen peroxide production;
- (b) mixing the inoculated nutrient with the soil having 2,4,6-Trinitortoluene contained therein;
- and
- (c) degrading 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene contained in the soil by exposing the 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene to said white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain VKM F-1767 for a time period sufficient to allow for such degradation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.