Influence of culture parameters on lignin metabolism byPhanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract

Culture parameters influencing metabolism of synthetic14C-lignins to14CO2 in defined media have been studied in shallow batch cultures of the ligninolytic wood-destroying HymenomycetePhanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. Study of the effect of O2 concentration in the gas phase above non-agitated cultures indicated essentially complete absence of attack on the lignin polymer at 5% O2 in N2, and a 2- to 3-fold enhancement by 100% O2 as compared to air (21% O2). Agitation of the cultures resulting in the formation of mycelial pellets greatly suppressed lignin decomposition. The optimum culture pH for lignin decomposition was 4 to 4.5, with marked suppression above 5.5 and below 3.5. The source of nutrient nitrogen (NO 3 − , NH 4 + , amino acids) had little influence on lignin decomposition, but the concentration of nitrogen was critical; decomposition at 24 mM was only 25–35% of that at 2.4 mM N. Thiamine was the only vitamin required for growth and lignin decomposition. Under the optimum conditions developed, decomposition of 5 mg of synthetic lignin was accompanied by utilization of approximately 100 mg of glucose. The influence of the various culture parameters was analogous for metabolism of synthetic lignin labeled in the ring-,side chain-, and methoxyl carbon atoms.