Utah State University

John A Bumpus

Steven D Aust

Ming Tien

A method for degrading coal tar, coal tar distillation fractions, and organic compounds, specially those compounds having three or more fused rings of the type often associated with coal tar, whether derived from coal tar or synthesized independently. According to the present invention degradation takes place by means of the nonspecific degradation reaction used by white rot fungi to degrade lignin. The degradation reaction occurs in part by means of a lignin degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, both produced by white rot fungi.

Process for the degradation of coal tar and its constituents by white

A method for degrading coal tar, coal tar distillation fractions, and organic compounds specifically those compounds having three or more fused rings, of the type often associated with coal tar, whether derived from coal tar or synthesized independently. According to the present invention degradation takes place by means of the nonspecific degradation reaction used by Phanerochaete chrysoporium to degrade lignin. The degradation reaction occurs in part by means of a lignin degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, both produced by Phanerochaete chrysoporium.

Process for the degradation of coal tar and its constituents by

A process for degrading environmentally persistent organic pollutant compounds by reacting those pollutant compounds with fungal enzymes containing a lignin-degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide. This reaction preferably takes place under aerobic conditions such that the organic pollutant compounds are degraded. Using the present invention, degradation to carbon dioxide and water is possible. Alternatively, the reaction may be halted to leave desirable reaction intermediates. The enzyme and hydrogen peroxide system of the present invention is found to be ideal for degrading various types of orgaic pollutants. Moreover, the reaction system is nonspecific. As a result, only a single type of fungus or fungus-generated enzyme system is required in order to degrade a wide spectrum of pollutants. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a preferred process where the enzyme (peroxidase) and hydrogen peroxide are provided by a lignin-degrading fungi or fungi mixed with the pollutant organic compound. Adding the living fungus avoids the need for introducing the hydrogen peroxide and enzyme periodically into the reaction mix, since the fungus produces both the extracellular enzyme and hydrogen peroxide.

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Logan, UT, United States of America

John A Bumpus