Degradation of Ordance Ingredients by Different Strains of White-Rot Fungi Including Phanerochaete Chrysosporium

1Four different strains of white-rot fungi including P. chrysosporium, will be tested to determine their effectiveness in degrading TNT, RDX, and HMX. Bacteria has not been effective in cleaving the ring structure resulting in incomplete degradation. The ability of white-rot fungi to degrade ring structures may make it useful in degradation of these ordnance compounds. TNT, RDX, and HMX will be mixed into dirt and treated with different strains of white-rot fungi. The soil samples will be analyzed at 14, 28, and 45 days. In addition to TNT, RDX, and HMX, the soil will be analyzed for other degradation products. Two different soil types will be used for the TNT soil experiment. Water contaminated with TNT will be treated with enzymes extracted from solid cultures of white-rot fungi. Two different enzyme concentrations from each strain of fungi will be used. Samples will be analyzed 48 hours after treatment with the enzymes.