Mycoremediation Potential of Mangrove Endophytic Fungi for Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) Detoxification in Coastal Ecosystems

Peggy Pei Yee Tek¹, Chuck Chuan Ng¹
China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS), Xiamen University Malaysia,
mmb2304001@xmu.edu.my, chuckchuan.ng@xmu.edu.my

The increasing concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in marine ecosystems pose severe environmental and health risks. These contaminants, often a result of urbanization and unsustainable agricultural practices, degrade coastal environments and bioaccumulate in the food chain. Mycoremediation, a promising microbial-based approach, utilizes the detoxification potential of fungi to mitigate PTE pollution. Among these, mangrove endophytic fungi (EFs) have gained attention due to their symbiotic relationship with mangroves, a key coastal ecosystem. The unique root structures of mangroves help immobilize PTEs, while EFs may further assist in adsorbing, chelating, or transforming these toxic elements.
Despite this potential, limited research exists on the ability of mangrove EFs to remediate Cd and Pb. This study investigates the remediation efficacy of EFs isolated from three mangrove species such as Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, and Avicennia alba were collected from Bagan Lalang and Morib beaches in Selangor, Malaysia. The research follows a two-phase approach; whereby in Phase 1, the growth of EF isolates is monitored on PTE-enriched potato dextrose agar (PDA) for 14 days to identify promising candidates. In Phase 2, these selected isolates are cultivated in PTE-enriched potato dextrose broth for 9 days. Samples are taken on days 3, 6, and 9 to assess PTE concentrations in the fungal biomass, the broth, and associated metabolic byproducts.
The anticipated results will evaluate the capacity of these fungi to accumulate, tolerate, or transform Cd and Pb, laying a foundation for their application in mangrove ecosystems for PTE bioremediation. This study offers insights into the use of fungal-based bioremediation strategies to restore contaminated coastal and estuarine environments, leveraging abundant mangrove resources.

bioremediation, cadmium, lead, mangrove endophytic fungus