High production of ligninolytic enzymes from white rot fungi in cereal bran liquid medium

Abstract

White rot fungi from the University of Alberta Mold Herbarium, identified as able to degrade aromatics from a study of PCB metabolism, were examined for production of ligninolytic enzymes. Production of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, laccase, and veratryl alcohol oxidase were monitored during growth in different media. Good growth but low enzyme production occurred in a glucose - malt extract - yeast extract medium. Media containing 2% cereal bran in 60 mM phosphate buffer supported high levels of laccase production, up to 13 000 U/L in Coriolopsis gallica UAMH 8260 and manganese peroxidase activity up to 1100 U/L in Bjerkandera adusta UAMH 8258. Cereal bran media supported higher laccase production than 2,5-xylidine and higher manganese peroxidase production than a medium containing manganous ion plus veratryl alcohol.Key words: cereal bran, laccase, manganese peroxidase, white rot fungi.