Pyrene-Degrading Fungus Ceriporia lacerata RF-7 from Contaminated Soil in Iraq

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as pyrene (PYR), are toxic to the environment. Bioremediation is considered a safe and economically technical approach to remove PAH from the environment. Fungi can grow on several hydrocarbons, including PYR. This study aimed to isolate and identify PYR-degrading fungus from the contaminated soil of Rumaila oilfield. Strain RF-7 was classified as a member of the Ceriporia genus on the basis of the internal transcribed spacer sequencing and the morphological properties. The growth of RF-7 at different concentrations was investigated using the microtiter plate method. The total PYR degradation by RF-7 was quantified using gas chromatography. With 20 mg/L PYR, 55.5% PYR was degraded after eight days of incubation. The co-substrate (glucose) experiment revealed that the PYR degradation efficiency of strain RF-7 can be substantially improved. After eight days of incubation, 90.5% of PYR (with a co-metabolism substrate) was degraded by RF7. Based on the above findings, the strain RF-7 can degrade PYR effectively and may be applied in remediating PAH-containing soils.