Adsorption and enrichment of U in a cellulase-producing Trichoderma sp. and its physiological response mechanism

The cellulase produced by Trichoderma sp. was characterized by investigating the adsorption and enrichment of U and the physiological response to U exposure. The effects of U exposure (0 and 400 μM) on the growth, morphological characteristics, cellulase production, U adsorption, and U enrichment capacity of the Trichoderma strain were assessed. The effects of U exposure on the basic metabolism of this fungus were also analyzed by non-targeted metabolomics. Exposure to U (400 μM) for 24 h resulted in OD600 turbidity of 0.278, and activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (CMC), filter paper enzyme (FPA), and β-glucosidase of 12834 U·mL−1, 9285 U·mL−1, and 12574 U·mL−1, respectively. The measurement of the background α and β radioactivity showed an α activity concentration of 3.35 × 106 Bq·kg−1 in the fungus, a β activity concentration of 6.28 × 105 Bq·kg−1, and a U enrichment rate of 70.4 ± 4.5%. GC-MS metabolomics analysis identified a total of 319 metabolites (34 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated), which mainly caused the metabolic imbalance of organic acids and derivatives. The alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolic pathways were the most significantly enriched. Trichoderma sp. therefore has a strong ability to tolerate/accumulate U and continues to produce cellulase under U (400 μM) exposure. However, U interferes with the basic metabolism of this fungus.