Biodegradation of red 40 dye by the mushroom Pleurotus sp florida

Abstract

A study was made of the capacity of the mushroom Pleurotus florida to biodegrade red 40, a dye used in foods. Mycelia grown in nutrient-rich and poor liquid mediums were used in different concentrations of dye and with various pH. Spectrophotometric readings indicated that the dye had biodegraded in concentrations of 1.10-5 and 2.10-5 Mol.dm-3, with the best results obtained at a pH of 4.5. It was also found that the mycelia grown in both nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor mediums presented red 40 biodegrading activity.