Lignocellulose Degradation by Daedaleopsis confragosa and D. tricolor

The properties and capacities of the ligninolytic enzymes of Daedaleopsis spp. are still unknown. This is the first study on the effect of plant residues and period of cultivation on the properties of Mn-oxidizing peroxidases and laccases of D. confragosa and D. tricolor, as well as their ligninolytic potentials. Wheat straw was the optimal carbon source for synthesis of highly active Mn-dependent peroxidases (4126.9 U/L in D. confragosa and 2037.9 U/L in D. tricolor). However, laccases were the predominant enzymes, and the best inducer of their activity (up 16000.0 U/L) was cherry sawdust. Wheat straw was the most susceptible plant residue to the effect of the enzymes, and extent of lignin degradation was 43.3% after 14 days of fermentation with D. tricolor. However, D. confragosa was a more effective lignin degrader, as it converted even 21.3% wheat straw lignin on the 6th day of cultivation. The results of the study clearly showed that delignification extent depends on mushroom species and on the type of plant residue, which is extremely important for potential use in biotechnological processes.