ABSTRACT Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often present in man-made pollutants such as diesel engine oil, pesticide and dye. PAHs are often deposited in soil and absorbed by plants without any further degradation. Therefore, PAHs are considered dangerous in terms of food safety and human health as they are often mutagenic and carcinogenic. This mini-review is to identify potential fungi candidates by evaluating their degradation percentage of PAHs and the types of PAHs effectively degraded by fungi. Based on a reported study, Ganoderma lucidum and Aspergillus flavus achieved the highest degradation percentage whereby nearly all PAH pollutants in the soil were completely degraded, that, thereby making both of them the best potential candidates for the degradation of PAHs. In contrast, Anthracophyllum discolor, Pleurotus chrysosporium Peniophora incarnata, Pleurotus ostreatus, Trametes versicolor, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma asperellum, Fusarium solani, Penicillium simplicissimum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were relatively less effective in the degradation of PAHs since only moderate degradation percentage of PAHs was achieved, despite being capable of degrading at least two types of PAHs. On the other hand, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Irpex lacteus were not good candidates since they were only able to degrade one type of PAH with low degradation percentage. In conclusion, G. lucidum and A. flavus are the fungi with the greatest potential for mycoremediating PAHs as shown by their degradation percentage. PAH remediation through the use of fungi holds great potential, offering affordable, effective and environmentally friendly alternatives for removing a wide array of PAHs from polluted environments.
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