The cyanide degradation abilities of three white rot fungi, Trametes versicolor ATCC 200801, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 496 and Pleurotus sajor-caju, were examined. T. versicolor was the most effective with 0.35 g dry cell/100 ml degrading 2 mM KCN (130 mg/l) over 42 h, at 30 degrees C, pH 10.5 with stirring at 150 rpm.