The effect of lignocellulose on lignocellulolytic activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius in submerged culture

Summary The possible effects of lignocellulose substrate on lignocellulolytic activity of the fungus Pleurotus pulmonarius was studied in submerged culture. This study included fungal growth rates, nitrogen and carbon consumption, and enzymatic activity rates, with and without added cotton-wheat straw (CWS) mixtures. Addition of CWS to the media caused increased consumption of glucose and NH _inf4 ^sup+ by the fungal mycelium, induced carboxymethylcellulase (CMC-ase), increased poly-B decolourization, and enhanced the activity of laccase tenfold, while -glucosidase activity was also enhanced: its first peak was higher and second peak earlier. Lignin peroxidase, however, was not detected. These results give some indication that the lignocellulolytic activity of P. pulmonarius in liquid culture is enhanced by the presence of lignocellulosic substrates such as CWS.Offprint requests to: D. Levanon