A strain of an anamorphic fungus, morphologically similar to Geotrichum candidum Link ex Leman was isolated from a soil sample. The fungus was identified on the basis of the ITS region analysis as basidiomycete Bjerkandera adusta (Willd. ex Fr.) P. Karst. The strain exhibited interesting properties, in particular, the capacity for decomposing of anthracyclic antibiotics (daunomycin)-very uncommon feature among fungi. Daunomycm decolorization performed by this fungus seemed to be a process of secondary metabolism (idiophase), accompanied by an increase of peroxidase activity and decrease of methoxyphenolic compounds and free radicals levels. Rate of the antibiotic degradation depended on its concentration. The strain adapted to growth on crude daunomycin effluent decomposed it more effectively than the fungus before adaptation. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.