The possibility of using cyanobacterial bloom materials as a medium for white rot fungi.

Aims:   The present study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using cyanobacterial bloom materials as a medium for white rot fungi and the capability of white rot fungi, Trichaptum abietinum 1302BG and Lopharia spadicea to biodegrade dried cyanobacterial bloom material taken from Taihu Lake.
Methods and Results:   The results showed T. abietinum 1302BG and L. spadicea could use the cyanobacterial bloom materials taken from Taihu Lake for growth to measure the mycelial plaque and dry-weight mycelial pellicles of fungi. The removal rate of dried cyanobacterial bloom materials incubated with white rot fungi is approximately 100%.
Conclusions:   The cyanobacterial bloom material can be used as a glucose substitute in white rot fungi medium. The white rot fungi, T. abietinum 1302BG and L. spadicea, can also directly decrease the biomass of cyanobacterial bloom material taken from Taihu Lake.
Significance and Impact of the Study:   Cyanobacterial bloom thrives in eutrophic fresh waters all over the world. Micro-organisms, particularly fungi, have attracted attention as possible agents for the degradation of phytoplankton species. Dealing with cyanobacterial bloom material as a medium for fungi instead of directly discharging them as organic fertilizers is a new, safe and environmentally friendly approach.
(© 2011 The Authors. Letters in Applied Microbiology © 2011 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)