Methods for the degradation of environmentally persistent organic compounds using shite rot fungi
US4891320A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/911
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for degrading environmentally persistent organic pollutant compounds by reacting those pollutant compounds with fungal enzymes containing a lignin-degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide. This reaction preferably takes place under aerobic conditions such that the organic pollutant compounds are degraded. Using the present invention, degradation to carbon dioxide and water is possible. Alternatively, the reaction may be halted to leave desirable reaction intermediates. The enzyme and hydrogen peroxide system of the present invention is found to be ideal for degrading various types of orgaic pollutants. Moreover, the reaction system is nonspecific. As a result, only a single type of fungus or fungus-generated enzyme system is required in order to degrade a wide spectrum of pollutants. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a preferred process where the enzyme (peroxidase) and hydrogen peroxide are provided by a lignin-degrading fungi or fungi mixed with the pollutant organic compound. Adding the living fungus avoids the need for introducing the hydrogen peroxide and enzyme periodically into the reaction mix, since the fungus produces both the extracellular enzyme…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.