Abstract

F. E Adelowo^*, O.S Amuda, A. A Giwa, Onawumi and O. O. E. O. F Andfalana

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/31.Special-Issue1.20

The utilization of organophosphonates as sole source of phosphorus by Aspergillusniger was studied.   Aspergillusniger was found to utilize the phosphorus in diethylethylphosphonate,  2-aminoethylphosphonate and potassium hydrogen phosphate for its growth.  Aspergillusnigerwas isolated from rotten pap and identified using standard manuals.The growth of the fungus was monitored by weighing while the phosphate ion released was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometer (Genesys IOS VI) at 660nm.  The release of phosphate ion was an indication that the first step in organophosphonates degradation by fungus was cleavage of the Carbon-Phosphorus (C-P)bond. There was an inverse relationship between the fungus growth and the amount of phosphate ion in the broth culture medium. The products of degradation were determined by Thin Layer Chromatographic method. The results showed that the phosphate ion in potassium hydrogen phosphate was released into the culture medium faster than that of diethylethylphosphonate and 2-aminoethylphosphonate.

Organophosphonates; biodegradation; Aspergillusniger

[ View HTML Full Text]