Abstract
Fungi have received particular attention in regards to alternatives for bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated locales. Enzymes produced by filamentous fungi, such as phosphatases, can precipitate heavy metal ions in contaminated environments, forming metal phosphates (insoluble). Thus, this research aimed to analyze fungi for uranium biomineralization capacity. For this, Gongronella butleri, Penicillium piscarium, Rhodotorula sinensis and Talaromyces amestolkiae were evaluated. Phytate and glycerol 2-phosphate were used as the phosphate sources in the culture media at pH 3.5 and 5.5, with and without uranium ions. After 4 weeks of fungal growth, evaluated fungi were able to produce high concentrations of phosphates in the media. T. amestolkiae was the best phosphate producer, using phytate as an organic source. During fungal growth, there was no change in pH level of the culture medium. After 3 weeks of T. amestolkiae growth in medium supplemented with phytate, there was a reduction between 20 and 30% of uranium concentrations, with high precipitation of uranium and phosphate on the fungal biomass. The fungi analyzed in this research can use the phytic acid present in the medium and produce high concentrations of phosphate; which, in the environment, can assist in the heavy metal biomineralization processes, even in acidic environments. Such metabolic capabilities of fungi can be useful in decontaminating uranium-contaminated environments.
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The author thanks Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior for funding and research support (FAPESP: 2015/06757-1).
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EC, JR, MR, and BC devised the research. EC, TAR, and MC conducted the experiments. EC, TM, JR, and BC conducted the modeling. EC, TAR, and BC wrote the manuscript. All authors discussed the data, results and commented on the manuscript. BC and JR supervised the project.
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Coelho, E., Reis, T.A., Cotrim, M. et al. Talaromyces amestolkiae uses organic phosphate sources for the treatment of uranium-contaminated water. Biometals 35, 335–348 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-022-00374-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-022-00374-9