Extracellular enzyme activities in six Lentinula edodes strains during cultivation in wheat straw

Abstract

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler is found in nature on dead broadleaf trees, but it is commercially produced on different substrates. The question of adaptation to different lignocellulosic substrates was addressed by measuring enzyme activities produced by six strains that were cultivated on wheat straw and that were able to produce sporophores. Despite quantitative variations, each strain of L. edodes had similar patterns of enzyme secretion into the wheat straw log matrix. Two peaks of carbohydrase activities were observed, the first relating to the early mycelial growth during the first days after spawning and the second during sporophore extension. Laccase activity in the early stage of colonization was related to the degradation of soluble phenolic compounds present in wheat straw. Manganese peroxidase activity was associated with mycelia th. The strains with the earlier production and higher yield were able to hydrolyse and utilize straw cell wall components soon aft er inoculation, and developed high metabolic activities.