Abstract
Abstract The polysaccharide-degrading and laccase enzymes released during the controlled degradation of flax shives by the fungal colonists Ceraceomyces sublaevis and Pleurotus ostreatus were assayed. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to identify the major components of the degraded flax shives. Changes in the peak patterns of derivative thermogravimetry were only observed 8 days after the start of fungal incubations, coinciding with an increased content of degrading enzymes. Two major peaks of thermogravimetric decomposition were observed; one at 280°C, believed to represent holocellulose, and one at 450°C representing lignin. The two fungal colonists degraded different components of the flax shive. P. ostreatus released higher levels of pectic, xylanase and cellulase enzymes into the substrate and, as a result, degraded the holocellulose present in shive more efficiently than lignin. C. sublaevis released higher levels of laccase in the substrate and, subsequently, degraded lignin more efficiently. The difference in the enzyme-release patterns of the two fungi was correlated with the changes in thermogravimetric weight loss of the different components of shive.
Published Version
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