Neurospora sitophila grown in media supplemented with dibutyl phthalate in submerged fermentation: Kinetics of growth and esterase activity

Abstract

Phthalate esters are compounds used primarily as plasticizers and additives to provide flexibility and malleability to plastic products. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most used as an additive in adhesives, inks for printers and cosmetic products. In this work, we evaluate the specific growth rate (μ), maximum biomass (Xmax), pH, glucose consumption and specific activity of esterases of Neurospora sitophila in media added with different concentrations of DBP (1500 and 2000 mg/L) in liquid fermentation. N. sitophila showed a higher specific growth rate in the medium added with 1500 mg of DBP/L than in the medium added with 2000 mg of DBP/L. The highest biomass production was observed in medium added with 2000 mg of DBP/L. The highest specific activity of esterases was showed in medium containing 1500 mg of DBP/L. This research suggests that N. sitophila is able to use high concentrations of DBP as a source of carbon and energy.