Biodegradation of the organochlorine pesticide, lindane by a sub-tropical white rot fungus in batch and packed bed bioreactor systems.

The degradation of the organochlorine pesticide, lindane by a sub-tropical white rot fungus DSPM95 was studied in stationary batch and packed bed bioreactor systems. Pesticide concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 ppm were used in batch cultures while concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 ppm were used in the packed bed bioreactor. Biodegradation of 82 +/- 6% was achieved in batch cultures at concentrations of 5 and 10 ppm. The highest percent degradation achieved in the packed bed reactor was 81% at lindane concentrations of 1 and 2 ppm and the degradation decreased at 10 ppm. The amount of lindane degraded was directly proportional to the initial lindane concentration in the medium. Laccase and manganese peroxidase were produced in both stationary batch and in immobilised cultures, however high enzyme levels could not be sustained for long periods in the packed bed bioreactor.