Biodegradation of Tetrahydrofuran by the Newly Isolated Filamentous Fungus Pseudallescheria boydii ZM01

Abstract

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is widely used as a precursor for polymer syntheses and a versatile solvent in industries. THF is an environmental hazard and carcinogenic to humans. In the present study, a new THF-degrading filamentous fungus, Pseudallescheria boydii ZM01, was isolated and characterized. Strain ZM01 can tolerate a maximum THF concentration of 260 mM and can completely degrade 5 mM THF in 48 h, with a maximum THF degradation rate of 133.40 mg THF h−1 g−1 dry weight. Growth inhibition was not observed when the initial THF concentration was below 150 mM, and the maximum THF degradation rate was still maintained at 118.21 mg THF h−1 g−1 dry weight at 50 mM THF, indicating the great potential of this strain to degrade THF at high concentrations. The initial key metabolic intermediate 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran was detected and identified by gas chromatography (GC) analyses for the first time during the THF degradation process. Analyses of the effects of initial pH, incubation temperature, and heavy metal ions on THF degradation revealed that strain ZM01 can degrade THF under a relatively wide range of conditions and has good degradation ability under low pH and Cu2+ stress, suggesting its adaptability and applicability for industrial wastewater treatment.