review · AIMS Microbiology
Phanerochaete chrysosporium serves as the primary model organism for white rot fungi and is the first basidiomycete to have its genome fully sequenced. The organism produces an enzymatic system capable of breaking down lignin, a complex and recalcitrant material that very few living organisms can degrade naturally. Beyond lignin breakdown, these fungal enzymes are capable of mineralising a broad selection of aromatic compounds into carbon dioxide and water. Many of these aromatic targets are toxic xenobiotic pollutants that pose documented risks to human health and natural ecosystems. Although the economic and environmental advantages of using the fungus for biodegradation are well documented, effective implementation requires an in-depth understanding of the organism and its underlying biological mechanisms. A synthesis of current knowledge outlines the processes governing how this fungus decomposes organic substrates.
Toxic xenobiotic pollutants and resilient plant compounds pose major challenges for environmental management and waste processing. Because Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces specialised enzymes that break down recalcitrant lignin and mineralise hazardous chemicals into harmless carbon dioxide and water, it provides a biological pathway to mitigate environmental toxins. Understanding these mechanisms is essential to improving natural remediation efforts.
The abstract highlights established economic and environmental benefits of using fungal enzymes to treat toxic xenobiotic pollutants and break down recalcitrant organic matter. Potential users include environmental remediation services and industrial waste processors. However, the abstract describes a literature review rather than a ready technology, indicating that practical application requires a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms, placing real-world implementation at an early to intermediate stage.
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<i>Phanerochaete chrysosporium</i> is considered the model fungus for white rot fungi. It is the first basidiomycete whose genome has been completely sequenced. Its importance lies in the fact that its enzymatic system comprises the major enzymes involved in lignin degradation. Lignin is a complex and highly recalcitrant compound that very few living organisms are capable of degrading naturally. On the other hand, the enzymes produced by <i>P. chrysosporium</i> are also powerful agents for the mineralization into CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O of a wide range of aromatic compounds. However, these aromatic compounds are largely xenobiotic compounds with documented toxic effects on the environment and health. While the economic and environmental benefits of biodegradation with <i>P. chrysosporium</i> are well established, a thorough understanding of <i>P. chrysosporium</i> and its biodegradation processes is essential for successful biodegradation. Our aim of this critical literature review is to provide a concise and comprehensive insight of biodecomposition of organic substrate by <i>P. chrysosporium</i>.
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DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2024046
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