Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper


Vol 11, Issue 2, 2009

Page Number: 427-430

CYANIDE DEGRADATION BY FUNGAL ISOLATES FROM CASSAVA FACTORY EFFLUENT

J. JOHN PRABAKARAN, A.J.A. RANJITH SINGH AND A.G. MURUGESAN

Abstract

Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma sp. isolated from the cassava factory effluent were examined for cyanide degradation. A. niger showed 100% cyanide degradation of 100 ppm cyanide (KCN) concentration within 25 h where as Trichoderma sp. showed 100% degradation in 35 h of incubation by forming ammonia and CO2 through the formation of formamide. A five times increase was observed in the biomass of A.niger and four times increase in that of Trichoderma sp. in cyanide containing minimal medium. The presence of these fungi in the effluent thus reduces cyanide toxicity.