Bioremediation Potential of Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer in Runoff Wastewater from Rivers State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Industrial and agricultural activities contribute to water pollution, necessitating eco-friendly remediation methods. Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer, a white-rot fungus, has shown potential for biodegradation of pollutants. This study evaluates its efficiency in treating runoff wastewater from selected areas in Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Runoff wastewater samples were collected from multiple sites and analyzed for physicochemical properties before and after fungal treatment. Lentinus squarrosulus was cultured and applied under controlled conditions. Standard analytical techniques were used to measure reductions in contaminants such as heavy metals and organic matter. The study was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 and underwent Duncan multiple comparisons and Dunnett’s tests in a One-way ANOVA p<0.05. Results: The fungus demonstrated significant pollutant reduction, improving water quality parameters. Notable decreases were observed in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and heavy metal concentrations, indicating effective bioremediation potential. Conclusion: The findings highlight Lentinus squarrosulus as a promising candidate for wastewater treatment. Its application in bioremediation could contribute to sustainable water management strategies in polluted environments.