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Abstract(s)
Trifluoroacetate (TFA) is a persistent fluorinated organic compound originated from the degradation of fluorinated compounds, such as HCFC and isoflurane, or as a side product from the thermolysis of fluoropolymers, like Teflon. TFA can reach soil through precipitation, where it persists in water and soil, and may contribute to forest decline. In this study, we assessed the capacity of P. tinctorius, an ectomycorrhizal fungus (ECMF), to tolerate and/or degrade TFA. In vitro studies in glucose-supplemented solid medium showed that the fungus tolerated up to 8.77 mM TFA. P. tinctorius also degraded 88.3 %, 89.9 %, and 42.1 % of 0.88, 2.39, and 4.39 mM TFA, respectively, in liquid cultures. No TFA accumulation was detected on the fungus mycelium, suggesting that TFA depletion was due to fungal degradation. Defluorination was not detected. A volatile compound with a structure and behavior compatible with fluoroform (CHF3), a potent greenhouse gas, was detected using GC-MS/MS, only in the gas phase of sealed P. tinctorius cultures supplied with TFA. Further confirmation of this compound is needed. Nevertheless, the study shows that P. tinctorius was capable to degrade TFA possibly through a similar pathway to that found on marine sediments. The results evidence the role of ECMF may play in the degradation of fluorinated organic compounds, enhancing their potential contribution on establishing tree growth in soils exposed to organic contamination.
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Citation
FRANCO, Albina R. [et al.] - Potential of ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius to tolerate and to degrade trifluoroacetate into fluoroform. In 16th European Congress on Biotechnology, Edinburgh, Scotland, 13-16 July, 2014.- In New Biotechnology, Abstracts of the 16th European Congress on Biotechnology, vol.31, Supplement, 2014, p.S65