Optimizing fungal bioremediation conditions for enhanced wastewater treatment through pH, temperature, and inoculum control

Wastewater contamination poses severe environmental and public health challenges in developing regions, demanding sustainable and low-cost treatment alternatives. This study investigated the efficiency of using Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, individually and in combination, for wastewater treatment. Over 7 days, reductions in nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, BOD5, magnesium, calcium, electrical conductivity, and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) were evaluated. Treatments were conducted under varying pH (4–6), temperature (25–30 °C), and inoculum volume (0.5–1.0 mL) conditions. The Water Pollution Index and Heavy Metal Pollution Index were analyzed to evaluate pollutant removal efficiency. Results indicated that A. niger showed higher performance than C. albicans in single cultures, while the mixed culture demonstrated synergistic effects and achieved the greatest reductions: nitrate (84%), phosphate (90%), sulfate (80%), BOD (76.7%), Pb (73.3%), and Cd (90%) (p < 0.01). Both indices confirmed the superior performance of the mixed culture, particularly at higher pH and temperatures.