Effect of Tween 80 and β-cyclodextrin on degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) by White Rot Fungi

The environmental safety of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), a widely used flame retardant, has been the topic of controversial discussions during the past several years. Degradation of BDE-209 into lower brominated diphenyl ether congeners, exhibiting a higher bioaccumulation potential, has been a critical issue. White rot fungi are known to degrade a wide variety of recalcitrant pollutants. In this work, white rot fungi were used to degrade BDE-209 in liquid culture medium, and the effects of Tween 80 and β-cyclodextrin on BDE-209 degradation by white rot fungi were evaluated. On the basis of these results, it appears that BDE-209 could be degraded by white rot fungi, and Tween 80 and β-cyclodextrin can both increase the biodegradation. The best result in Tween 80 experiments was obtained at a Tween 80 concentration of 500 mg l−1 within 10 d, which showed 96.5% (w/w) BDE-209 transformed. Tween 80 at a high concentration will restrain the fungal growth and the degradation of BDE-209. However, β-cyclodextrin had positive effects both on the BDE-209 degradation and the fungal growth.