Efficient dibutyltin (DBT) elimination by the microscopic fungus Metarhizium robertsii under conditions of intensive aeration and ascorbic acid supplementation

Dibutyltin (DBT) is an environmental pollutant characterized by immunotoxic, neurotoxic, and pro-oxidant properties. In this study, an attempt was made to enhance DBT elimination by the Metarhizium robertsii strain. We observed enhanced fungal growth in the bioreactor (pO(2) ≥ 20%) compared to flask cultures (μ (max) increased from 0.061 to 0.086 h(−1)). Moreover, under aerated conditions, M. robertsii mycelium with “hairy” morphology biodegraded DBT (20 mg l(−1)) 10-fold faster in the bioreactor than in the flask cultures. Monobutyltin (MBT) and a hydroxylated derivative of MBT (OHBuSnH(2)) were detected as by-products of dibutyltin debutylation. Simultaneous usage of glucose and butyltins indicates the comatabolic nature of monobutyltin and dibutyltin removal. In order to protect fungal cells from oxidative stress caused by DBT presence, vitamin C (20 mg l(−1)) was applied. Supplementation with ascorbic acid (AA) resulted in a 3-fold acceleration of MBT removal during the first 7 h of incubation. Using the HPLC-MS/MS technique, a quantitative analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, was performed. In the AA presence, a decrease in the MDA amount (about 45%) was observed compared to the case with fungal cells exposed to DBT alone. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-017-8764-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.