Bioprospecting three newly isolated white-rot fungi from Berbak-Sembilang National Park, Indonesia for biodecolorization of anthraquinone and azo dyes

Extensive use of textile dyes without proper wastewater treatment may jeopardize the water environment. In this study, bioprospecting newly isolated white-rot fungi from Berbak-Sembilang National Park for decolorizing four synthetic dyes was investigated. A total of 108 wood-decaying fungi were screened by using selective media, resulting in three isolates as the most promising fungal strains (BRB 11, BRB 73, BRB 81). BRB 81 had the best ability to decolorize 91.4% of AB129 and 77.8% of RB5 within 96 hours while the highest removal of RBBR and AO7 was performed by BRB11 around 60% and 37.6%, respectively. The enzymatic degradation was assumed to involve the decolorization process as laccase activities were observed with the highest around 116 UL-1. Based on molecular identification, these three fungal isolates were identified as Phellinus noxius BRB 11, Ceriporia lacerata BRB 81, and Leiotrametes menziesii BRB 73, respectively. In conclusion, P. noxius BRB 11, L. menziesii BRB 73, and C. lacerata BRB 81 could be used as biological agents in textile wastewater treatment and thus, it is important to conserve them as a part of the biodiversity within the local biosphere reserve.