Lignin degradation in a compost environment by the deuteromycete Paecilomyces inflatus

Abstract

Two strains of the deuteromycete Paecilomyces inflatus were isolated from compost samples consisting of municipal wastes, paper and wood chips. Lignin degradation by P. inflatus was studied following the mineralization of a synthetic (14)C(beta)-labeled lignin (side-chain labeled dehydrogenation polymer, DHP). Approximately 6.5% of the synthetic lignin was mineralized during solid-state cultivation of the fungus in autoclaved compost; and 15.5% was converted into water-soluble fragments. Laccase was the only ligninolytic enzyme detectable when the isolates were grown in autoclaved compost. Production of the enzyme was growth-associated and dependent on the culture conditions. The optimal pH for laccase production was between 4.5 and 5.5 and the optimal temperature was around 30 degrees C. Activity levels of laccase increased in the presence of low-molecular-mass aromatic compounds, such as veratryl alcohol, veratric acid, vanillin and vanillic acid.

A newly isolated Paecilomyces sp. WSH-L07 for laccase production: isolation, identification, and production enhancement by complex inducement

“…Paecilomyces species have also proven to be laccase producers. Two Paecilomyces inXatus strains were Wrst reported by Kluczek-Turpeinen et al [11], giving about 30 U/l laccase activity after 4 weeks of cultivation in the compost extract.…”

Improvement of laccase production and its properties by low-energy ion implantation

“…The microorganism used in this work was isolated from soil and identified as Paecilomyces sp., which exhibited a much higher level of laccase synthesis with an average activity of 820 U/L on the eighth day, compared with other strains of Paecilomyces species [15][16][17]. As a thermophilic microorganism [15,18], Paecilomyces sp.…”

Decolorization of Six Synthetic Dyes by Fungi

“…Some ascomycetes are able to produce extracellular oxidative enzymes (Palonen et al, 2003;Sánchez, 2009). Ascomycetes produce mainly hydrolytic enzymes, which degrade carbohydrates (Hatakka and Hammel, 2010;Rodriguez et al, 1996;Kluczek-Turpeinen et al, 2003). Because the variety of different dyes is enormous, only little is known about capabilities of lignocellulose degrading ascomycetes (molds) while the capabilities of lignin degrading wood and litter decomposing basidiomycetes to degrade synthetic dyes have gained interest during last decades (Wesenberg et al, 2003, Rodriguez Couto, 2009).…”