The aim of this study was to select various fungal strains indigenous to Korea that have the potential to produce cellulases, including filter paper activity (FPase), endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EG), and β-glucosidase (BGL). Among the 25 species of Ascomycetes and the 32 species of Basidiomycetes tested in this study, the Bjerkandera adusta KUC10565, Heterobasidion orientale KUC10556, Hyphoderma praetermissum KUC10609, and Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716 all exhibited remarkably high FPase activity. In addition, the T. harzianum KUC1716 showed high levels of EG and BGL activity. This strain has been selected for further study because of their enzymatic potential.

The hazards associated with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be recalcitrant by their structure, but white rot fungi are capable of degrading recalcitrant organic compounds. Phlebia brevispora KUC9045 isolated from Korea was investigated its efficiency of degradation of four PAHs, such as phenanthrene, anthracne, fluoranthene, and pyrene. And the species secreted extracellular laccase and MnP (Manganese dependent peroxidase) during degradation. P. brevispora KUC9045 demonstrated effective degradation rates of phenanthrene (66.3%), anthracene (67.4%), fluoranthene (61.6%), and pyrene (63.3%), respectively. For enhancement of degradation rates of PAHs by the species, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) was preferentially supplemented to induce ligninolytic enzymes. The biodegradation rates of the three PAHs including phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were improved as higher concentration of Remazol Brilliant Blue R was supplemented. However, anthracene was degraded with the highest rate among four PAHs after two weeks of the incubation without RBBR addition. According to the previous study, RBBR can be clearly decolorized by P. brevispora KUC9045. Hence, the present study demonstrates simultaneous degradation of dye and PAHs by the white rot fungus. And it is considered that the ligninolytic enzymes are closely related with the degradation. In addition, it indicated that dye waste water might be used to induce ligninolytic enzymes for effective degradation of PAHs.