Use of white rot fungal pellets for utilization and bioremediation of vinasse and olive oil mill wastewater

Alcohol factory wastewater (vinasse), and olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) cause considerable pollution of the environment. The organic material content of both wastewater is high; therefore they should be treated or utilizied. Utilization of this wastewater in enzyme production and providing bioremediation during this process mean preventing environmental pollution. In this study, enzyme production abilities of Funalia trogii and Trametes versicolor pellets in wastewater media were tested and factors effective on enzyme production were optimized. In order to increase laccase activity, the effects of various supplementary sources (glucose, malt extract, copper, cheese whey) have been examined in repeated-batch mode. The laccase production ability and yield of immobilized and free fungi were also compared during repeated-batch mode. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) value of treated and untreated wastewater were compared for testing the bioremediation activity of fungal pellets. Thermostability of laccase obtained from wastewater cultures was also determined. Glucose, malt exctract, cheese whey and copper differently affected the laccase production ability and stability of pellets. Addition of copper to both types of the wastewater induced laccase enzyme activity (4 to 10 folds). F. trogii pellets reduced the COD content of vinasse and OOMW as 32 % and 33 %, respectively. T. versicolor pellets also reduced the COD content of these wastewaters. This research showed that fungal pellets can be used for bioremediation of wastewaters and pellets can also be used for laccase production under certain conditions.