Characterization of β-glucosidase produced by the white rot fungus Flammulina velutipes.

β-Glucosidase production by the white rot fungus Flammulina velutipes CFK 3111 was evaluated using different carbon and nitrogen sources under submerged fermentation. Maximal extracellular enzyme production was 1.6 U/ml, corresponding to a culture grown in sucrose 40 g/l and asparagine 10 g/l.

Optimization of laccase production by two strains of Ganoderma lucidum using phenolic and metallic inducers.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is a white rot fungus that is able to degrade the lignin component in wood. The ability of two strains of this species to produce the ligninolytic enzyme laccase was assessed.

Protective effect of vanilloids against chemical stress on the white-rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum.

Bioremediation of contaminated sites by biosorption of pollutants onto a wide range of materials has emerged as a promising treatment for recalcitrant aromatic compounds or heavy metals. When adsorption occurs on living white-rot fungi mycelia, the pollutants may be degraded by ligninolytic enzymes. However, the survival of mycelia in harsh conditions is one of the drawbacks of those methodologies.

Black liquor decolorization by selected white-rot fungi.

Five different strains of white-rot fungi have been tested for their ability to decolorize black liquor on plates and on solid-state fermentation using vermiculite as the solid inert support. Since the high salt concentration inhibited the growth of all fungi, the black liquor was dialyzed against distilled water prior to use. A preliminary step on plates was carried out to qualitatively determine the capacity of the fungal strains for black liquor decolorization.

Effects of nutrients, pH and water potential on exopolysaccharides production by a fungal strain belonging to Ganoderma lucidum complex.

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by Ganoderma lucidum in response to different culture conditions was studied. Cellulose and glucose, in defined media, resulted in the more efficient enhancers of EPS production among the carbon sources tested. In natural media cultures containing glucose and malt extract exhibited a marked increase (up to 29-fold) respect to defined media.

Geastrum episcopale: a new noticeable species with red-violet exoperidium.

A new species, Geastrum episcopale, is described from Argentina. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of fresh and dry basidiomata are provided along with photographs of microscopic elements, such as spores, capillitium, calcium oxalate crystals, and exo- and endoperidium surfaces. This fungus is typical of the genus in its morphology and ecology but clearly differs from every known species.

Influence of the carbon source on the growth and lignocellulolytic enzyme production by Morchella esculenta strains.

Growth and lignocellulolytic enzymes production by two Morchella esculenta strains (BAFC 1728 and BEL 124) growing in solid state fermentation using different lignocellulosic materials along 58 days was characterized. Both strains were able to grow on the three substrates: wheat bran, wheat bran plus corn starch, and rolled oat. The growth was characterized by measuring chitin content, reducing sugars, pH, dry weight loss, and extractable proteins, such parameters varied substantially with substrate and strain used.

Stabilization studies of Fomes sclerodermeus laccases.

Stability of laccase isoenzymes from a crude extract obtained from Fomes sclerodermeus grown on wheat bran medium was studied. The variables assessed were temperature, pH and additives. As revealed by PAGE, three bands of laccase, each with different thermal inactivation pattern, were detected in the crude extract: after 6h at 50 degrees C and pH 8, Lc2 was the most resistant, while the Lc1 and Lc3 bands were almost completely inactivated.

[Combined effect of copper and initial pH of the culture on production of laccase and manganese peroxidase by Stereum hirsutum (Willd) Pers].

Stereum hirsutum is a white-rot fungus which produces laccase and manganese peroxidase as part of its ligninolytic system. Maximal ligninases production (under the conditions studied) was obtained in the media containing 250 microM Cu++ along with a pH value of 5.5.