Fungus for Pyrene Remediation

Why in news?

• Researchers at the CSIR have identified a fungus capable of removing toxic and carcinogenic Pyrene or Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs) from the environment.

About Pyrene:

• Pyrene, possessing four benzene rings, belongs to the highly toxic class of PAHs, with carcinogenic and mutagenic properties.
• They originate from multiple sources including combustion of petrogenic fossil fuels and incomplete incineration of municipal wastes and biomass.
• They get lodged into the environmental matrices like soil, water and atmosphere resulting in widespread environmental pollution necessitating adequate remediation of contaminated environmental matrices.
• Like most PAHs, pyrene is used to make dyes, plastics and pesticides.

Research Findings:

• Researchers have found a fungus named white-rot fungus Trametesmaxima IIPLC-32 which has the potential to cause microb ial degradation of pyrene.
• Growing on dead plants, this fungus causes pyrene degradation using special enzymes. This fungus also acts to decrease the pollution level of the soil.
• Hence, this fungus may prove to be helpful in the remediation of pyrene.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference Pyrene, sometimes seen in news, consider the following statements

1. It is used to make plastics and pesticides

2. It has carcinogenic and mutagenic properties

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer