The antagonistic action of Trichoderma sp. hyphae to Lentinula edodes hyphae changes lignocellulotytic activities during cultivation in wheat straw

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler was cultivated in sterilized or pasteurized wheat straw both with and without inoculation with Trichoderma sp. Enhancements of -mannosidase and laccase activities and lowering of Mn-dependent peroxidase activity were observed seven days after inoculation in substrates inoculated with Trichoderma sp. These enzymes were not produced by Trichoderma sp. Most of the polysaccharidase activities were higher in substrates with Trichoderma sp. than in absence of Trichoderma sp. The area of the substrate contaminated with T. harzianum significantly correlated with cellulase, laccase and Mn-dependent peroxidase activities measured in the substrate. The increase of cellulase activity was due to enzymes produced by Trichoderma sp. and the decrease of Mn-dependent peroxidase activity was due to diminished growth of L. edodes. The stimulation of laccase activity was linked with the formation of brown lines (oxidation of polyphenols) at the contact between the mycelia of the two antagonists.