The four strains that displayed the highest PS in the previous experiment
were investigated for their capability to degrade crude oil in liquid
culture. The ability to use crude oil was evaluated through three
parameters: i) the change in color of culture media, from blue to colorless;
ii) the growth of fungal biomass; iii) the disappearance of crude oil
from themedium. The DCPIP decolorization is illustrated in Fig. 3: a fast
transformation was observed for A. terreus MUT 271 that displayed the
highest DP (88%). Also P. citreonigrum MUT 267 and T. harzianum MUT
290 activated a strong oxido-reductase cascade able to oxidize about
70% of DCPIP. Lulworthiales sp. MUT 263 was less effective and much
slower in decolorization (23% at day 10).