Ecotoxicological Estimation of 4-Cumylphenol, 4- t -Octylphenol, Nonylphenol, and Volatile Leachate Phenol Degradation by the Microscopic Fungus Umbelopsis isabellina Using a Battery of Biotests

Tomasz Janicki, Andrzej Długoński, Aleksandra Felczak, Jerzy Długoński and Mariusz Krupiński
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Tomasz Janicki: Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16 Street, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Długoński: Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, 1/3 Wóycickiego Street, 01-038 Warsaw, Poland
Aleksandra Felczak: Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16 Street, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Jerzy Długoński: Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16 Street, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Mariusz Krupiński: Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16 Street, 90-237 Lodz, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: The phenolic xenobiotics nonylphenol (NP), 4- tert -octylphenol (4- t -OP), and 4-cumylphenol (4-CP) have the potential to seriously disrupt the endocrine system. Volatile phenols (VPs), especially those present in landfill leachate, also adversely affect the health of numerous organisms. Microbial degradation of xenobiotics can result in the formation of intermediates with higher toxicity than the precursor substrates. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the changes in environmental ecotoxicity during the biotransformation of nonylphenol, 4- tert -octylphenol, 4-cumylphenol and volatile phenols by Umbelopsis isabellina using a battery of biotests. The application of bioindicators belonging to different taxonomic groups and diverse trophic levels (producers, consumers, and reducers) indicated a significant reduction in toxicity during the cultivation of fungus cultures both for nonylphenol, 4- tert -octylphenol, 4-cumylphenol and volatile phenols. The rate of toxicity decline was correlated with the degree of xenobiotic biotransformation. Removal of 4-cumylphenol and 4- tert -octylphenol also led to a decrease in the anti-androgenic potential. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating the anti-androgenic properties of 4-cumylphenol. The results showed that U. isabellina is an attractive tool for the bioremediation and detoxification of contaminated environments.

Keywords: biodegradation; detoxification; landfill post-industrial waste; battery of biotests; Umbelopsis isabellina (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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