Oxalate production at different initial Pb2+ concentrations and the influence of oxalate during solid-state fermentation of straw with Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract The production of oxalate at different initial Pb 2+ concentrations during solid-state fermentation of straw with Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. It was found that the maximal peak value of oxalate concentration (22.84 mM) was detected at the initial Pb 2+ concentration of 200 mg kg −1 dry straw, while the minimum (15.89 mM) at the concentration of 600 mg Pb 2+  kg −1 dry straw, and at moderate concentration of Pb 2+ the capability of oxalic acid secretion was enhanced. In addition, it was also found that more oxalic acid accumulation went together with better Pb 2+ passivation effect and higher manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity. The present findings will improve the understandings of the interactions of heavy metals with white-rot fungi and the role of oxalate in lignin degradation system, which could provide useful references for more efficient treatment of Pb-contaminated lignocellulosic waste.