Decolorization and degradation of Congo Red by Schizophyllum sp.F17 and catabolite analysis

Congo Red(CR) was decolorized and degraded by the main enzymes secreted by Schizophyllum sp.F17 which were investigated in a novel system established by our laboratory.Catabolite analysis showed that CR was decolorized and degraded effectively by Schizophyllum sp.F17.The decolorization percentage of CR reached 91.5% 48 h after mycelial pellet addition and the maximum activity of MnP,the main degradation enzyme,reached 96.1 U·L-1.Furthermore,from the UV-Vis spectrum of CR,the absorption peak at 495 nm vanished and new absorption peaks appeared in the ultraviolet region after 96 h and 192 h of decolorization.Benzidine is initially produced in the degradation process.It was isolated by HPLC and its identity was confirmed by FT-IR,mass spectrometry and NMR.The benzidine was itself degraded gradually over time.