Mycelial fungi completely remediate di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, the hazardous plasticizer in PVC blood storage bag

► Three novel phthalate utilizing fungi: A. parasiticus, F. subglutinans and P. funiculosum. ► Fungi utilize DEHP in PVC plastics in situ, in simple mineral salt medium. ► Employing these fungi, a batch process can remediate phthalates in plastics. ► Phthalate-free PVC can be recycled afresh. ► Mineral salt and phthalate remediated into fungal biomass.