Influence of the carbon source on the growth and lignocellulolytic enzyme production by Morchella esculenta strains

Growth and lignocellulolytic enzymes production by two Morchella esculenta strains (BAFC 1728 and BEL 124) growing in solid state fermentation using different lignocellulosic materials along 58 days was characterized. Both strains were able to grow on the three substrates: wheat bran, wheat bran plus corn starch, and rolled oat. The growth was characterized by measuring chitin content, reducing sugars, pH, dry weight loss, and extractable proteins, such parameters varied substantially with substrate and strain used. The maximum rate of growth in both strains was observed between 5 and 28 days. Regarding enzyme production, as a general trend strain BAFC 1728 produced the highest titres. The most evident difference was observed in laccase production by this strain on wheat bran, which exceeded that observed in strain BEL 124 by tenfold (7.45 U g⁻¹).