Improved productivity and dye removal performance of Trametes versicolor pellets using rice husk as a co-substrate

• Published in: Journal of microbiological methods Vol. 223; p. 106976
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez-Quirós, Juan Antonio, Coronado-Marchena, Alonso, Villegas-Solano, Diego, Rodríguez-Saravia, Sebastián, Castro-Gutiérrez, Víctor, Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Carlos E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Biomass; Bioreactor; Degradation; Fungi; Rice husk; Fungi; Degradation; Rice husk; Bioreactor; Biomass
• ISSN: 0167-7012; 1872-8359; 1872-8359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2024.106976

Pellet production represents a critical step for several processes requiring fungal biomass, nevertheless, its optimization is seldom reported. The use of finely ground rice husk as a microcarrier and co-substrate permitted a marked increase (≈ 2.7×) in the productivity of fungal pellet production using Trametes versicolor compared to traditional production methods. The pellets show similar structure and smaller size compared to typical sole-mycelium pellets, as well as comparable laccase activity. The efficiency of the pellets for biodegradation was confirmed by the removal of the crystal violet dye, achieving significantly faster decolorization rates compared to the traditionally produced pellets. The use of these pellets during the continuous treatment of the dye in a stirred tank bioreactor resulted in 97% decolorization operating at a hydraulic residence time of 4.5 d. [Display omitted] •Fungal pellets were produced with Trametes versicolor biomass and a core of rice husk•Productivity of fungal pellets was significantly increased using rice husk•Rice husk pellets improved decolorization of cristal violet (vs conventional pellets)•Continuous decolorization of cristal violet reached 97% at a residence time of 4.5 d