Molecular Mechanism of Phthalate Biotransformation by the White-Rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous organic xenobiotics widely distributed in the environment and pose a significant threat to human health, including concerns related to food safety. Among PAEs, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) are most frequently detected in the environment and agricultural products at relatively high concentrations. The presence of these PAEs in agro-industrial ecosystems can substantially affect the composition of soil and plant-associated microbial communities, leading to reduced crop yields and deterioration of agricultural product quality. To address these challenges, bioremediation approaches are commonly employed, including microbial degradation and mycoremediation. In the present study, the intracellular degradation mechanisms of DEHP, DiBP, and BBP by the white-rot fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072 were investigated using a proteomic approach. Among the enzymes involved in the degradation of these phthalates, various esterases, alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs), aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), aldo-keto reductases of families 7 and 13 (AKR7A and AKR13A), short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs), and several other oxidoreductases were identified.