Pairing Fungi and Bacterial Enzymes to Supercharge Industrial Wastewater Remediation
In the ever-evolving battle against environmental pollution, nature continues to inspire the most effective and sustainable solutions. At BioGlobe, our mission to remediate industrial and municipal contamination with organic enzyme solutions has brought us to the frontier of biological innovation. As the challenges of wastewater treatment grow more complex—particularly with persistent pollutants like chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons, and nitrates—so too must the strategies used to combat them. One of the most promising frontiers in this battle is the hybridisation of fungal and bacterial remediation technologies. By harnessing the natural synergy between fungi and specialised bacteria, we can enhance the efficacy, speed, and ecological harmony of bioremediation processes.
At the heart of this strategy lies a simple but powerful principle: nature rarely works in isolation. In any given ecosystem, countless species of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms work in tandem to break down organic and inorganic materials. In polluted environments, however, these systems are often overwhelmed or disrupted. By reintroducing curated microbial and fungal systems, supported by enzyme formulations, we can restore and accelerate the natural remediation cycle. This concept of a ‘synthetic ecology’ is gaining ground among researchers and environmental engineers alike.
Let us begin by examining the key players. Fungi, particularly white rot fungi like Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor, are exceptional decomposers. They produce ligninolytic enzymes such as laccase, manganese peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP), which enable them to break down complex organic structures including lignin—one of the most recalcitrant natural polymers. These same enzymes can be deployed to degrade a wide variety of industrial pollutants, from phenols and dyes to hydrocarbons and even some heavy metals. The enzymes act in a broad, non-specific manner, making them well-suited to the unpredictable and mixed nature of industrial waste streams.
On the bacterial side, we have species such as Dehalococcoides mccartyi, Pseudomonas putida, and Shewanella oneidensis. These microbes are renowned for their ability to degrade or transform chlorinated solvents, nitrates, and other inorganic pollutants. Dehalococcoides, in particular, has been the focus of intense research due to its ability to fully dechlorinate tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) into non-toxic ethene, through a process known as reductive dechlorination. This process relies on specific enzymes known as reductive dehalogenases, which remove chlorine atoms from solvent molecules under anaerobic conditions.
Individually, fungi and bacteria have demonstrated powerful remediation capabilities. But recent research and field trials suggest that their combined use—what we might call hybrid bioremediation—offers a level of efficiency and resilience that surpasses either method alone. Fungi, for instance, can open up complex organic molecules, making them more accessible to bacterial enzymatic activity. In return, bacteria can metabolise or mineralise the intermediate products that fungi leave behind, preventing the build-up of toxic by-products.
One of the key challenges in wastewater treatment is the presence of mixed pollutants—complex cocktails of organic solvents, hydrocarbons, nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals. Conventional chemical treatments often fall short, as they are designed for specific pollutants and can generate secondary waste streams. A hybrid fungal-bacterial approach, however, brings flexibility and adaptability. For example, fungal enzymes can break down the aromatic rings in petroleum hydrocarbons, making them more digestible for bacteria that can then fully mineralise the compounds into carbon dioxide and water. In the case of chlorinated solvents like PCE, fungi can degrade co-contaminants that inhibit bacterial activity, effectively preparing the microenvironment for bacterial colonisation.
Moreover, fungi can change the physical and chemical characteristics of their environment in ways that benefit bacteria. Through the production of organic acids and the alteration of pH, fungi can mobilise heavy metals and increase the bioavailability of nutrients. This creates micro-niches that support diverse bacterial communities, each with its own metabolic specialisation. It is, in essence, an engineered ecology that mimics the complexity of natural soil and water systems.
This approach also shows promise in the treatment of sewage and sludge, particularly when integrated with anaerobic digestion systems. In anaerobic digesters, bacterial communities are responsible for breaking down organic waste into biogas—primarily methane and carbon dioxide. However, the presence of complex industrial pollutants can inhibit this microbial activity. By introducing fungal enzymes upstream, we can pre-treat the waste, reducing toxicity and improving the efficiency of bacterial digestion. Pilot studies suggest that this not only accelerates the digestion process but also increases biogas yields, offering both environmental and economic benefits.
At BioGlobe, we are exploring the application of this hybrid model across a variety of settings, from industrial effluent systems to brownfield sites and contaminated inland water bodies. Our enzyme solutions, derived from naturally occurring microbial processes, are designed to work synergistically with fungal and bacterial bioremediation. The goal is not merely to remove pollutants, but to regenerate ecosystems—to transform degraded, toxic sites into viable, living systems once again.
Yet, as with any innovation, there are challenges to address. One is the stability and longevity of fungal enzymes in real-world conditions. Unlike bacteria, which can replicate and adapt, enzymes are finite and can degrade over time. This makes formulation and delivery crucial. At BioGlobe, our research has focused on encapsulating enzymes in protective matrices that extend their shelf life and functional range. Similarly, we are investigating ways to co-culture fungi and bacteria in controlled environments before introducing them to contaminated sites, ensuring compatibility and optimal activity.
Another challenge is ensuring the complete degradation of pollutants. Partial dechlorination, for instance, can produce vinyl chloride—a more toxic compound than its precursors. This underscores the importance of sequencing: introducing fungal treatment first to reduce toxicity, followed by targeted bacterial activity to ensure complete mineralisation. Monitoring and controlling environmental variables such as pH, temperature, redox potential, and nutrient levels are also essential to support this multi-stage process.
Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits are immense. Hybrid fungal-bacterial bioremediation offers a path to more sustainable, adaptable, and effective environmental management. It allows us to tackle pollutants that resist traditional methods, without resorting to harsh chemicals or energy-intensive processes. And perhaps most importantly, it aligns with the principles of ecological restoration—working with nature, rather than against it.
The integration of mycoremediation and microbial enzyme science represents the next frontier for companies committed to biological innovation. It is a testament to what can be achieved when we look to nature not merely as a resource to be managed, but as a partner in solving the environmental crises of our time. At BioGlobe, we believe this is not just a scientific opportunity, but a moral imperative. As we continue to refine our formulations and field strategies, we invite collaboration with industry partners, researchers, and regulators who share our vision for a cleaner, more resilient planet.
In conclusion, the pairing of fungal and bacterial enzymes in wastewater treatment is not a theoretical exercise, but a tangible, scalable solution with the potential to redefine how we approach pollution. It offers a way to clean up the messes of the past while setting a new standard for future development—one that respects the balance of natural systems and leverages their inherent intelligence. Whether in sewage treatment plants, contaminated industrial zones, or water-stressed rural areas, this synergy underground could very well become the cornerstone of a new era in environmental remediation.
Bioglobe offer Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and also agriculture and brown-field sites, globally.
For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
22 Highfield Street,
Leicester LE2 1AB
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk