Diversity in phenol-metabolizing capability of 809 strains of micromycetes.

The property of 809 strains of micromycetes to grow in the presence of phenol (0.5 g/l) was investigated on solid media. Toxicity was determined on malt extract agar medium. Growth of the fungal strains on synthetic solid medium with phenol as the sole carbon source allowed evaluation of phenol consumption. Only 61 strains (8% of the whole) grew well under both conditions, which reflects the toxicity of 0.5 g/l of phenol upon micromycetes. Finally, Phanerochaete chrysosporium was chosen and cultivated in liquid synthetic medium at 24 degrees C and 37 degrees C with phenol (0.5 g/l). It consumed phenol fast and efficiently. Growth temperature was a key parameter. Catechol, cis-cis-muconic acid and beta-keto-adipate were characterized and quantified.