Biomineralization of tellurium and selenium-tellurium nanoparticles by the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The release of tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se) oxyanions in the environment poses a strong concern due to their inherent toxicity at high concentrations. Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a recognized Se-reducing fungus, was evaluated for its physiological response towards tellurite (TeO32-, 10 mg Te L-1) and its mixture with selenite (TeO32-+SeO32-, 10 mg Te L-1+10 mg Se L-1) in synthetic wastewater in batch conditions (pH 4.5, 30 degrees C, 150 rpm). Biomineralization of Te and Se by P. chrysosporium was also investigated. The response of the fungus towards SeO32- (10 mg Se L-1) was used as a reference for understanding its inhibitory effects on TeO32- removal. Fungal growth was inhibited in the following order: TeO32-+SeO32- > SeeO(3)(2-) > TeO32-. Biomineralization of Te needle-like particles (20-465 nm) and different morphotypes of Se Te particles (50-600 nm) were ascertained as a result of TeO32- and TeO32-+SeO32- exposure, respectively. The ability of P. chrysosporium as a Se- and Te-reducing organism opens up the possibility to exploit this fungus for bioremediation applications and for the biosynthesis of unique nanoparticles. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.