PAH biotransformation and sorption by Fusarium solani and Arthrobacter oxydans isolated from a polluted soil in axenic cultures and mixed co-cultures

► PAH dissipation by a bacterium and a fungus isolated from PAH-polluted soil, was studied in pure and mixed cultures. ► Biotransformation, absorption and adsorption of phenanthrene, pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene were estimated. ► Arthrobacter oxydans highly biotransformed phenanthrene in absence of glucose, without any sorption. ► With glucose Fusarium solani dissipated 30% of the three PAH, including one-third of PAH absorption in autofluorescent vesicles. ► Bacterial and fungal co-culture did not promote PAH dissipation.