Involvement of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase in degradation and selective ligninolysis of wheat straw

Some white-rot fungi have been studied to evaluate their potential to degrade wheat straw with specific reference to their ligninolytic ability and associated enzymes, viz. lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase. The data have been compared with the much studied Phanerochaete chrysosporium. In the present study, Daedalea flavida and two of the Phlebia spp. were found to be capable of degrading lignin selectively and hence hold better prospects in various biotechnological applications than P. chrysosporium. Phlebia radiata and P. floridensis were the best producers of manganese peroxidase and laccase, respectively, whereas P. chrysosporium was best for lignin peroxidase. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.