Isolation and characterization of native fungal strains for the bioremediation of BTEX pollutants.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) exposure is known to be carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals to humans. This study investigates the potential of fungal native strains for the bioremediation of BTEX compounds. Fungal isolates were obtained from BTEX-enriched soil, and their ability to degrade these pollutants was evaluated. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method has been used to confirm the biodegradation of BTEX. Eight fungal strains were isolated from genera such as Talaromyces, Aspergillus, and Lichtheimia. Among them, Talaromyces pinophilus RBF1 and Aspergillus elsenburgensis RBF6 were very efficient strains for BTEX biodegradation over 98 % removal of BTEX at a concentration of 1 %. The strains also grow very well at a higher concentration of 2 % BTEX. In contrast, Lichtheimia ramosa RBF8 and Aspergillus nidulans RBF2 exhibited increased benzene concentration, which probably occurred due to biological transformation of other compounds into benzene. Despite the high bioremediation potential of some isolated fungi, further assessment of fungal degradation is necessary to develop bioremediation strategies.