Influence of culture parameters on paper mill effluent decolourization by a white rot fungus <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i>

Abstract

Efficacy of a white rot fungus <i>G.lucidum </i>for reduction of colour of paper mill effluent under various growth conditions was evaluated. <i>G. lucidum </i>cultured in IBME medium supported maximum colour reduction on 18^th day of fungal growth. The optimization of growth parameters further improved colour reduction. The 18 day old culture at 4 g/l inoculum concentration resulted in maximum decolourization (89%) of the effluent with <i>p</i>H adjusted to 6.5 at 35°C along with maximum reduction in biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand. Relative contribution of lignin peroxidase and laccase to the decolourization of paper mill effluent by <i>G. lucidum </i>was also observed.