Masalu, Rose2016-05-092020-01-072016-05-092020-01-072004Masalu, 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=)http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1252Twenty-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.enLigninMushroomsThesis