Elsevier, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 2(60), p. 116-125, 2007
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2007.02.001
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Dry olive mill residue (DOR) is a solid waste arising from the olive oil two-phase extraction system. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of an aerobic treatment of DOR with selected lignin-degrading fungi on both organic matter evolution and residual phytotoxicity of the waste. To this aim, several white-rot fungi, including Phlebia radiata, Coriolopsis rigida, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Poria subvermispora and Pleurotus pulmonarius were inoculated under axenic conditions for 2 and 20 weeks. The chemical composition and phytotoxicity of DOR were scarcely affected by fungi after 2 weeks incubation. By contrast, both a significant depletion of phenolic compounds and a partial removal of phytoxicity towards Lycopersicum esculentum plants were generally obtained after 20 weeks. The most effective fungus in degrading lignin, total phenols and in removing phytotoxicity was C. rigida. A high correlation was observed between phytotoxicity and phenols added to soil with the waste.