Comparative studies of lignin peroxidases and manganese-dependent peroxidases produced by selected white rot fungi in solid media

Abstract The effect of various incubation conditions and media composition on ligninolytic activity by selected strains of white-rot fungi was determined in solid media. When compared to conventional methods using liquid media or woody substrates, this method is fast, simple and also quantitative. Manganese-dependent peroxidase was easily detected in all strains studied. However, detection of lignin peroxidase required optimisation of both growth medium and enzyme assay conditions. Using this method, we showed that the role of nitrogen and oxygen in ligninolytic activity varies and that conditions must be optimised for each individual even within the same species. Furthermore, several white rot fungi produced manganesedependent peroxidase during the primary growth phase. Keywords: Manganese-dependent peroxidase; Lignin peroxidase; White rot fungus