Abstract
Three different mechanisms can be envisaged that are used by fungi to solubilize coal: the production of alkaline substances, the extrusion of chelators and, of special interest in the scope of biotechnology, the action of enzymes. Whether these mechanisms are operating separately or in various combinations has not yet been finally assessed. The two deuteromycetes Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma atroviride solubilize coal by synergistic effects of various different mechanisms depending on the cell metabolism. F. oxysporum seems to solubilize coal by increasing the pH of the mycelial surroundings and by the action of chelators induced during growth in glutamate-containing media (without involvement of enzymes). T. atroviride, on the other hand, appears to use, in addition to an alkaline pH and a high chelator activity, at least two classes of enzyme activity to attack coal: hydrolytic activity for coal solubilization and ligninolytic activity for degradation of humic acids.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 3 February 1998 / Received revision: 31 August 1998 / Accepted: 3 September 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hölker, U., Ludwig, S., Scheel, T. et al. Mechanisms of coal solubilization by the deuteromycetes Trichoderma atroviride and Fusarium oxysporum . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 52, 57–59 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051486
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051486