Lignin degradation capabilities of Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract

Two edible mushroom species ( Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes ) and one known ligninase-producing species ( Phanerochaete chrysosporium) were evaluated for their selective lignin-degrading capability on glucose-supplemented hardwood and softwood pulp chips. As time (0, 10, 20, 30 days) of vegetative mycelial growth increased, significant changes in weight loss, alkali solubility, ethanol benzene extractives content, and klason lignin were observed for hardwood and softwood pulp chips. The highest amount of lignin (12% in red oak) was consumed by P. chrysosporium after a 30-day incubation period. Glucose-supplemented wood chips minimized holocellulose degradation while providing a significant increase in weight loss and delignification at the 20- and 30-day incubation periods.