Lignin degrading enzymes from mycelial cultures of wild Tanzanian mushrooms.

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Date
2004
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Twenty-four mushroom isolates collected from both woody and non-woody habitats were screened and investigated with respect to their lignin degrading capacity. Fifteen wood and nine non-wood inhabiting isolates were screened by testing for decolourization of an aromatic dye (Rhemazol Brilliant Blue-R, RBBR) and also for the production of extracellular polyphenol oxidase, laccase and peroxidases using guaicol, a-naphthol and pyrogallol oxidation, respectively 88 % of the isolates decolorized RBBR, 80 % oxidized guaicol and 33.3 % and 80 % were positive for laccase and peroxidases, respectively. Isolates were further investigated for lignin peroxidase (LiP), Manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase (Lac) activities using veratryl alcohol, guaicol and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulphonic acid) as substrates for LiP, MnP and,Lac, respectively. MnP activity was found in 90.4 % of the isolates tested, while 57% and 52.5 % of the isolates exhibited LiP and Lac activities, respectively. The relative activities of LiP, MnP and Lac ranged between 25-65, 10-42 and 10-35 U/ml, respectively. The mushroom isolates tested reduced total fibres by 78 %, hemicellulose by 46.3 %, cellulose by 10 %, lignin by 30% and increase total nitrogen by 100 % in the rice straw. It was concluded that wild Tanzanian mushrooms have a potential for use in the bioremediation of sites polluted with recalcitrant compounds and for upgrading lignocellulosic materials for ruminant feed.
Description
Keywords
Lignin, Mushrooms
Citation
Masalu, R. (2004). Lignin degrading enzymes from mycelial cultures of wild Tanzanian mushrooms. Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx?parentpriref=)