Selective degradation of coexisting phenanthrene and anthracene by Irpex lacteus F17

Abstract:

[Objective] To compare the differences of degradation properties of coexisting phenanthrene and anthracene, we studied factors affecting the degradation by Irpex lacteus F17. We also discussed the degradation pathway preliminarily combining with the analysis of intermediate products. [Methods] We determined the concentration of phenanthrene and anthracene by GC-MS, and analyzed the intermediate products of biodegradation with mass spectrogram. [Results] When the initial concentration of phenanthrene and anthracene was 5 mg/L, 93% of the former and 85% of the latter was degraded. Phenanthrene could be degraded preferably between pH 3.0 and 8.0, and coexisting anthracene could be degraded well between pH 4.0 and 8.0 by Irpex lacteus F17. Phenanthrene was degraded better than anthracene at low temperature, and the optimal temperature for coexisting system was 30℃. Anthracene was transformed into phthalic acid, whereas phenanthrene was converted into phthalic acid or catechol by enzymes. [Conclusion] The results indicated that phenanthrene was degraded better and faster than coexisting anthracene by Irpex lacteus F17 under different conditions. There were some differences between coexisting phenanthrene and anthracene on degradation properties and degradation pathways due to the different positions of the three benzene rings.