ADHESION AND LIGNIN PEROXIDASE PRODUCTION BY THE WHITE-ROT FUNGUS PHANEROCHAETE-CHRYSOSPORIUM IN A ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR

This paper describes the adhesion and growth of Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelium and subsequent lignin peroxidase activity obtained on polymer discs in a rotating biological contactor (RBC). The effect of support surface texture and polymer composition on biofilm adhesion was observed. Adhesion was enhanced on roughened surfaces compared to smooth surfaces. Discs made of nylon and polypropylene resulted in the greatest adhesion. Optimal culture conditions for fungal growth and enzyme expression in our RBC are described. A comparison of seven different media buffers showed that succinate and phthalate buffers resulted in greater lignin peroxidase activity than the more commonly used 2,2-dimethylsuccinate buffer. The addition of Tween 80 to cultures was shown to increase lignin peroxidase activity compared to cultures without Tween 80. A strain comparison in the RBC showed that thc wild-type BKM-F-1767 strain adhered better to the support and produced higher enzyme activity than a mutant strain, SC26.