Environ Exp Biol (2021) 19: 103–119

White-rot fungi-mediated bioremediation as a sustainable method for xenobiotic degradation

Abstract

Xenobiotics are hazardous compounds that are foreign to natural ecosystems. The production and use of xenobiotic compounds continue to increase worldwide, which in turn causes environmental pollution and has adverse effects on humans. Degradation of such compounds, therefore, needs urgent awareness and attention. The physicochemical approaches to treat the contaminants are expensive. Bioremediation is a concept that exploits organisms to manage the environment with less manpower and time. White-rot fungi-mediated bioremediation offers inexpensive, environmentally sustainable and potential degradation mechanisms for different recalcitrant chemicals. White-rot fungi secrete lignolytic enzymes that have extensive substrate specificities and are involved in the transformation and solubilization of lignin-like structural contaminants. The main lignolytic enzymes occurring in white-rot fungi are laccases, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and other peroxidases. Such lignolytic enzymes permit white-rot fungi to endure high toxic levels. This review describes the opportunities to use white-rot fungi and their enzyme systems in the biodegradation of multiple xenobiotic contaminants.