The Role of Natural Organic Matter in the Biodecontamination of Freshwaters from the Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor compound acting on animals, especially aquatics, and humans. It can leach out of urban and industrial wastes and contaminate the environment. This study evaluated comparatively the decontamination potential of three ligninolytic fungi, Trametes versicolor, Stereum hirsutum and Pleurotus ostreatus, towards BPA at a concentration of 4.6 mg L⁻¹ in distilled water (control) and two freshwaters, a lake water and a river water. The assessment of mycelial growth during water decontamination evidenced a good tolerance of all fungi to BPA and, in some cases, a fungal growth stimulation by the organic content of the two freshwaters, with respect to the control. In the absence of fungi, BPA persistence in water appeared negatively related to the organic matter content of water, resulting in the order: distilled water > river water > lake water. All the three fungi showed a larger removal of BPA in freshwaters with respect to distilled water. T. versicolor and P. ostreatus exerted a similar relevant capacity to remove BPA from both freshwaters, whereas S. hirsutum was much more effective in the decontamination of lake water with respect to river water.