Solid state fermentation a valid alternative for environmental control

Abstract

Recently the use of microorganisms, such as white-rot fungi, through Solid State Fermentation (SSF) processes has been seriously investigated. SSF has shown much promise in the development of several bioprocesses and products. White rot fungi seem to be particularly interesting for environmental applications, due to their ability totolerate and/or degrade high concentrations of pollutants for their chemical transformation into less hazardous compound. The wood preservativeshave been extensively used in the last few decades to enhance the life expectancy of woody materials for external uses against natural and biological decay, but the popular waste disposal options available for these expended materials nowadays, such as burning and land filling, are not acceptable due to economical, healthand environmental concerns. The development of alternative and environmental friendly methods for disposal of these waste materials is of major importance. This presentation discusses a novel approach for bioremediation of creosote-treated railways wood sleepers by Solid State Fermentation of white-rot fungi and the possibility to combine it sequentially with phytoremediation.