Ligninolytic Ability and Potential Biotechnology Applications of the South American Fungus <i>Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus</i>

Abstract

The extracellular ligninolytic enzyme system of <i>Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus</i>, grown under different culture conditions, was characterized and the ability of this strain to degrade different components of <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> wood was determined. In shaken liquid cultures grown on a C-limited medium supplemented with yeast extract (0.1 %) and peptone (0.5 %), the fungus produced extracellular aryl-alcohol oxidase (Aao), laccase (Lac), manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) and manganese-independent peroxidase (MiP) activities, their maximum levels being, respectively, about 600, 50, 1360, and 920 pkat/mL. The supplementation of 1 mmol/L vanillic acid and 150 µmol/L CuSO4 produced an increase of Lac activity levels up to 4-fold and 68.3-fold, respectively. No significant differences were found in the levels of the other ligninolytic enzyme activities when compared to the basal medium. Solid-state fermentation cultures on <i>E. globulus</i> wood chips revealed Lac and MiP activities. These cultures showed degradative activity on lignin and lipophilic wood extractives.