Decolorization of synthetic dyes by Pleurotus ostreatus isolates differing in ligninolytic properties.

The ability to decolorize four synthetic dyes (Phenol Red, Evans Blue, Eosin Yellowish and Poly B411) in five Pleurotus ostreatus strains (a parental strain and four isolates derived from it) was determined. Two of the isolates had markedly higher and other two substantially lower production of ligninolytic enzymes and hydrogen peroxide than the parental strain. Like the parental strain, the higher-producing isolates were able to decolorize all the tested dyes, but not to a higher extent than the parental strain. In contrast, two lower-producing isolates exhibited slow decolorization, which was incomplete even at the end of cultivation. Evans Blue and Eosin Yellowish strongly suppressed the growth of the strains, while Phenol Red and Poly B411 induced none or only a very slight growth reduction.