Bisphenol (BPA) is a key ingredient in the production of epoxy resins and some types of plastics, which can be released into the environment and alter the endocrine systems of wildlife and humans. In this study, the ability of the fungus M. roridumIM 6482 to BPA elimination was investigated. LC-MS/MS analysis showed almost complete removal of BPA from the growth medium within 72 h of culturing. Products of BPA biotransformation were identified, and their estrogenic activity was found to be lower than that of the parent compound. Extracellular laccase activity was identified as the main mechanism of BPA elimination. It was observed that BPA induced oxidative stress in fungal cells manifested as the enhancement in ROS production, membranes permeability and lipids peroxidation. These oxidative stress markers were reduced after BPA biodegradation (72 h of culturing). Intracellular proteome analyses performed using 2-D electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF technique allowed identifying 69 proteins in a sample obtained from the BPA containing culture. There were mainly structural and regulator proteins but also oxidoreductive and antioxidative agents, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. The obtained results broaden the knowledge on BPA elimination by microscopic fungi and may contribute to the development of BPA biodegradation methods.
Keywords: BPA degradation; Myrothecium roridum; estrogenic activity reduction; laccase; oxidative stress.