ABSTRACT
Despite their wide distribution in nature, phenolic compounds are part of the main toxic pollutants discarded by the petrochemical, textile and other industries. Considering the environmental importance of these substances, filamentous fungi were selected aiming at their future use in biotreatment of residues. Two hundred and fifty-seven strains were isolated from the oil refinery effluent, and from the Atibaia river water. They were inoculated on a phenolic substrate to develop a degradation halo, which was measured and classified. A technique named "Bavendamm Reaction" was used to determine the enzyme activity of fungal phenoloxidases and peroxidases. The isolates were also cultivated in the effluent of the stabilization lagoon to study biomass production and their resistance. Results showed that 50% of tested isolates produced the enzymes studied and 80% was able to grow in the effluent. The isolates investigated presented an important potential to be used in bioremediation processes, for future application in the treatment of phenolic effluent residues.
KEY WORDS
Biodegradation; Atibaia River; phenoloxidases; Bavendamm Reaction; filamentous fungi; oil refinery
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