Isolation and selection of fungi with potential for bioremediation of contaminated environmental by heavy metals.

Author(s)

Livia de Carvalho Fontes

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2016-02-18

Examining board members

Benedito Correa; Felipe Santiago Chambergo Alcalde; Luciana Jandelli Gimenes; Cláudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento; Elen Aquino Perpetuo

• Advisor: Benedito Correa

Abstract

Processes are being developed in order to recover areas contaminated by heavy metals. Thus, studies featuring fungi that degrade these pollutants are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize fungi in aquatic environments contaminated by heavy metals and insert genes in order to improve absorption of heavy metals. 340 fungal isolates resistant to four different heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) were selected and identified through direct examination, microculture and ITS sequencing. The isolates were tested for the radial growth rate in media supplemented with heavy metals. Trichoderma sp. presented VCR 0,9cm / day (Pb), VCR 0.7cm / day (Cd), VCR 0.8cm / day and VCR 0,9cm / day (Hg). Curvularia afinis presented a VCR 0.3 cm / day; A strain of Penicillium showed high VCR at the highest concentration tested 0,26cm / day at a concentration of 0.5 g / L of cadmium; Aspergillus presented VCR 0,42cm / day and showed VCR arundinis Microsphaeropsis 0.24 cm / day. Trichoderma harzianum showed better metal holding capacity and was observed in TEM. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transformed with the synthetic gene EC20 for increasing the retention of these metals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/10200-4 - Isolation and selection of fungi with potential for bioremediation from aquatic environments with a history of heavy metals contamination
• Grantee: Lívia de Carvalho Fontes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate