# Bioremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutant--Oxybenzene with _Pleurotus diamor_
## 1 Introduction  
Oxybenzene (Benzophenone-3, BP-3) is commonly found in sunscreens, coatings, and paints as a photoprotectant. BP-3 absorbs UV radiation in the 280-315 nm range and short-wavelength UVA radiation in the 315-355 nm range. It then dissipates this energy without emitting radiation, through a process called photoinduced keto-enol tautomerization. This process converts the absorbed UV energy into heat, which is then harmlessly released. This mechanism not only makes it an effective, photostable sunscreen but also contributes to its relatively long persistence in surface waters, lasting from weeks to months [1, 2, 3]. In theUnited States and the European Union, the maximum concentration of BP-3 in sunscreens and cosmetics is 6%, in Australia 10%, and in Japan 5% [4]. The global consumption of oxygenzone is estimated to be around 3000 tons per year. Oxygenzone is registered under the REACH regulation and is either manufactured or imported into the European Economic Area in amounts ranging from 100 to 1000 tons annually [5]. According to Euromonitor, the combined usage of benzophenone-class UV filters in the U.S. is approximately 11.4 mg per capita per day, totaling 1386 tons annually [6]. The widespread use of benzophenone UV filters and their incomplete removal by sewage treatment processes have resulted in their presence in various environmental matrices, including water, soil, sediments, sludge, and biota. They are prevalent in coastal environments, either through direct application or via wastewater discharge. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the harmful effects of BP-3 on marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs [7,8]. Oxygenzone is genotoxic to corals, especially after exposure to sunlight [9]. The compound causes endocrine and developmental disruption in vertebrates and invertebrates. The presence of BP-3 is routinely confirmed in environmental samples. BP-3 concentrations in water samples collected in Hanauma Bay (Oahu, HI, USA) ranged from 136 to 27,880 ng/L [10]. In drains flowing into the Yellow River in Ningxia, China, the measured BP-3 concentration was 477.28 ng/L [11]. The main source of water contamination with UV filters is their washing off from the skin of water recreationists, but also sewage treatment plant effluents and surface runoff from nearby beach showers [10,12]. The average BP-3 concentration in sand samples collected from showers on three Hawaiian Islands (Maui, Oahu, HI, USA) was 5619 ng/g [4]. Due to the confirmed harmful effects of oxygenzone in causing coral reef bleaching, BP-3 has been banned in some places around the world, such as Hawaii, Key West, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, and Bonaire [13]. The pervasive occurrence of BP-3 in the environment results in continuous human exposure to this compound from multiple sources. Benzophenones have also been detected in fresh water, tap drinking water, indoor dust and air, textiles, and seafood [14]. BP-3 has been also approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an indirect food additive and may be found, for example, in food packaging [15]. According to the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the European Commission, the use of BP-3 as a UV filter in cosmetic products is safe for consumers provided that its concentration does not exceed 2.2%. This decision is based on concerns regarding reproductive toxicity, potential carcinogenic properties, and effects on fetal and neonatal development [16]. BP-3 has estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity. Numerous studies have confirmed that oxygenzone is absorbed through human skin, with absorption in some cases reaching up to 10% of the applied dose [9,17]. The presence of BP-3 has been confirmed in various biological matrices such as urine, serum, semen, and even amniotic fluid and breast milk [18]. Oxygenzone undergoes phase I and phase II biotransformation, and some of its metabolites may be more toxic than BP-3 itself.