Fungi Associated with Degradation of Wastes from Rubber Processing Industry

A study of fungi associated with wastes from a rubber processing factory was carried out. Rubber processing wastes, natural rubber waste serum (NRWS) and washing effluents were obtained from Greenpark Rubber Industries Ltd, Umutu, Delta State, Nigeria. The NRWS was collected from seepage from starks of coagulated rubber in the factory and effluents were collected from the four tanks used for washing the coagulated rubber. Three fungal species, Mucor racemous, Mucor sp. and Aspergilus niger, were isolated from the NRWS. From the effluents collected from the four wash tanks, five fungal species were isolated. Mucor recemous, Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus, sp. and Rhizopus sp. Of all the species isolated, the Mucor species were found capable of utilizing NRWS as a growth substrate. Optimal growth of Mucor in NRWS was achieved at near-neutral pH of 7.1. It was also observed that as biomass of Mucor increased in NRWS, the BOD of NRWS decreased. Pollution strength of the wastes as determined by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total solids were found to be highest with NRWS (440 and 4520) and wash tank (A) (370 and 3520) respectively.