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The pink oyster mushroom, scientifically known as Pleurotus djamor, is characterized by its appealing color, positive sensory qualities, substantial nutritional content, and its possession of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and medicinal properties. Mushrooms degrade lignocellulosic substrates through lignocellulosic enzyme production and utilize the degraded products to produce their fruiting bodies, contributing to sustainable agriculture and forestry and a short-term generation of income. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of various cultural parameters viz. temperatures, pH, solid culture media, carbon, and nitrogen sources on mycelial growth of the fungus and to identify the suitable grain for spawn production, optimum dose of spawn and suitable substrate for obtaining the highest yield of the mushroom. All of the experiments were conducted following standard protocols after procuring the pure culture of P. djamor from DMR-Solan. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth of the fungus was 28 °C at pH 7.5, and the best solid culture media was oat meal agar. Starch was the best carbon source and 0.3% L-asparagine served as the best source of nitrogen. Sorghum grains promoted the fastest spawn production. Out of five different doses of spawn and two assessed substrates, 4% spawn on paddy straw promoted the highest yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acoustic and thermal properties were determined for biodegradable insulation materials produced from desilicated wheat straws with two different fungi and three different incubation periods. Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) fungi and wheat straw were exposed to fungal incubation for 10, 20, and 30 days to produce mycelium-based insulation materials. The sound absorption coefficients of mycelium-based insulation boards produced using PO fungus were higher than those produced with GL fungus. It was found that the acoustic absorption coefficients of insulation boards produced using PO fungus at 1,000 Hz were 87 to 99% according to the incubation periods. The sound transmission losses of mycelium-based insulation boards produced ranged from 46.4 to 59.7 dBa at 1000 Hz. The group of boards labeled as YP2 exhibited the lowest level of sound transmission loss, whereas GL2 revealed the highest degree of sound transmission loss at 1000 Hz. The lowest thermal conductivity coefficient was obtained in insulation boards produced with PO fungus and an incubation period of 20 days. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of mycelium-based insulation materials was considerably higher than the insulation boards commonly used today. Thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry curves of mycelium-based insulation materials were also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycelium-based insulation materials made from lignocellulosic resources have the potential to replace petroleum-based foams. In this study, desilicated wheat straw was inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) fungi and incubated for 10, 20, and 30 days to produce mycelium-based insulation boards. The process of extracting silica from wheat stalks was conducted using a 1% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution prior to the production of mycelium-based insulation boards. Density, water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength perpendicular to the surface (Internal bonding test), and compressive strength of the mycelium insulation boards were measured. The results showed that mycelium-based insulation boards produced with GL had better physical and mechanical properties than those produced with PO. Furthermore, pretreatment of wheat straw with 1% NaOH improved the mechanical properties of the insulation boards produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccase activity from Pleurotus ostreatus and Flammulina velutipes strains was investigated with various agro- and forestry residues by solid- state fermentation. Different species or strains belonging to the same species had the unique capacity of secreting laccase on solid-state fermentation with various agro- and forestry residues. Overall, the capacity of secreting laccase for P. ostreatus strains was superior to F. velutipes strains due to the value of maximum activity on various agro- and forestry residues, except on the stalk of straw. Compared with Populus beijingensis, corncob, and stalk of straw, the presence of cottonseed hull was helpful to improve laccase activity for P. ostreatus strains because the maximum laccase activity from cottonseed hull was higher than that from the other three agro- and forestry residues. The presence of stalk of straw was more helpful to improve laccase activity for F. velutipes strains because of the maximum laccase activity from stalk of straw was higher that from Populus beijingensis, corncob, and cottonseed hull. These results indicated the importance of selecting suitable agro- and forestry residues for fungi producing laccase. These findings contributed to the selection of suitable strains to obtain an integrated application of low-cost laccase in the factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of lignin degradation via white rot fungi was studied. Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus ostreatus were used for all the experiments, i.e., measuring the concentration and structure of alkali lignins and studying the effect of the substrate concentration and enzyme activity on the removal. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on the reaction liquid of the lignin degradation enzyme system. Alkali lignin had a characteristic absorption spectrum with a peak at approximately 280 nm. Precipitation in the laccase (Lac) degradation system occurred earlier, as well as being more obvious than that in the manganese peroxidase (Mnp) degradation system. The maximum removal was 29.4% in the Mnp degradation system at a concentration of 40 mg/L. The removal increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the Lac degradation system. The increase in Mnp and Lac enzyme activity led to an increased alkali lignin removal. The removal of the control group was significantly lower than the experimental degradation systems. The degradation mainly produced organic acids, esters, and aromatic substances. In conclusion, white rot fungi could effectively remove alkali lignin, in which precipitation played a major role, followed by enzymolysis; the enzymolysis was associated with the alkali lignin concentration and enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurotus ostreatus and a newly isolated Ganoderma lingzhi strain were evaluated for their laccase secretion capacity by solid-state fermentation with different agricultural and forestry residues. There was a significant difference among fungi for biosynthetic potential. In principle, the laccase secretion capacity of P. ostreatus CY 568 was stronger than that from G. lingzhi Han 500. Different species of fungi had a preference for agricultural and forestry residues. The presence of cottonseed hull and Populus beijingensis were helpful for accelerating the rate of laccase enzyme production of P. ostreatus CY 568. Cottonseed hull and corncob were useful for improving the production of laccase from G. lingzhi Han 500. Continuous and stable laccase production was found on cottonseed hull by P. ostreatus CY 568 and G. lingzhi Han 500. Maximum laccase activity obtained from P. ostreatus CY 568 on Toona sinensis, Sophora japonica, Salix babylonica, Populus beijingensis, corncob, cottonseed hull, and straw of Oryza sativa was higher than that from G. lingzhi Han 500, and was nearly 1.16-fold, 1.59-fold, 3.32-fold, 1.39-fold, 1.08-fold, 1.08-fold, and 1.36-fold, respectively. These findings will be helpful for developing new productive strains and expanding more species for industrial application to obtain efficient and low-cost laccase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulolytic white-rot fungi allow the bioconversion of agricultural wastes into value-added products that are used in a myriad of applications. The aim of this work was to use corn residues (Zea mays L.) to produce valuable products under solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Pleurotus ostreatus. White-rot fungus P. ostreatus was isolated from maize silage (MS) and thereafter it was inoculated on MS as substrate and compared with maize stover (MSt) and maize cobs (MC) to determine the best lignocellulosic substrate for the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes and extracellular protein. The MS gave the highest productivity of CMCase (368.2 U/mL), FPase (170.5 U/mL), laccase (11.4 U/mL), and MnPase (6.6 U/mL). This is compared to productivity on MSt of 222 U/mL, 50.2 U/mL, 4.55 U/mL, and 2.57 U/mL, respectively; and productivity on MC at the same incubation period as 150.5 U/mL, 48.2 U/mL, 3.58 U/mL, and 2.5 U/mL, respectively. The levels of enzyme production declined with increasing incubation period after 15 and 20 days using MS and MC, respectively, as substrates. Maximum liberated extracellular protein content (754 to 878 µg/mL) was recorded using MS, while a low amount (343 to 408 µg/mL) was liberated with using MSt and MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using beech wood sawdust and hazelnut husk waste generated during the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms as a filler in polycaprolactone (PCL)-based biocomposite films was investigated. Chemical and physical properties of the PCL biocomposites were determined. The beech sawdust and hazelnut husk were exposed to degradation for 73 d and 78 d, respectively, in slightly acidic environments at a relative humidity of 75%. The degraded materials caused the holocellulose and lignin contents in the PCL biocomposites to decrease, while the cellulose and a-cellulose contents increased. In general, as the lignocellulosic waste content increased, the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EatB) values decreased and the tensile modulus (TM) and water absorption (WA) values increased. It was determined that the PCL biocomposite with the degraded beech sawdust absorbed more water than the composite with the undegraded beech sawdust. On the other hand, the PCL biocomposite with the degraded hazelnut husk absorbed less water than the composite with the raw hazelnut husk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid state fermentation with different lignocellulolytic materials as inducers was used for lignocellulolytic enzyme production in this study. Pleurotus ostreatus strains were assessed by measuring laccase, CMCase, and xylanase activities. The secretion potential of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by wild and cultivated strains was analyzed for the first time. The wild and cultivated strain showed their unique capacities for secreting lignocellulolytic enzymes on solid-state fermentation with different lignocellulosic materials. The wild P. ostreatus strain preferred corncob for the secretion of laccase and xylanase activity, but the cultivated strain preferred poplar sawdust. The wild strain and cultivated strain showed a consistent preference for poplar sawdust for the secretion of CMCase activity. The wild strain was advantageous because it achieved the maximum hydrolytic enzyme activities within a short time period. Poplar sawdust and corncob were conducive to laccase secretion by the wild or cultivated strains and the rapid accumulation of laccase on solidstate fermentation. Additionally, continuous, stable laccase production was an extremely important advantage by solid-state fermentation of poplar sawdust, particularly in the wild strain. These findings are helpful in selecting the appropriate strain that corresponds to suitable lignocellulosic materials. The optimization of integrated industrial lignocellulolytic enzyme production can also be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to facilitate the application of wood vinegar in the mushroom industry, a framework was developed to reveal the individual and interactive effects of chemical groups in wood vinegars on Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium growth. By a series of refining and separating methods, the crude wood vinegar samples were processed and separated into six subgroups with distinctive component concentrations in each. Adding the wood vinegar subgroups into the culturing medium resulted in differences in mycelium growth. Analysis of variance was performed on the differences to evaluate the effects of seven chemical groups on mycelium growth. The enhancing effects of groups of chemicals were (ranked by effect) alcohols > esters > aldehydes; the inhibiting groups of chemicals were phenols > ketones > acids. The principle inhibitory chemicals in the wood vinegars were most likely 1,2-benzenediol, 2-methyl phenol, and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. The synergistic effects between acids and phenols and between acids and ketones were confirmed. By these effects, the inhibiting chemicals interacted synergistically as mycelium growth promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step statistical method was developed with two main objectives. One objective was to utilize plantation forest wastes for edible fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus CICC 14012) cultivation and the second was to maximize the laccase activity in the substrates to facilitate hemicellulose extraction. A total of eight forestry wastes were studied using this method. Among these, Pinus massoniana sawdust, Acacia confusa leaves, and Populus tomentosa leaves were selected and optimized to formulate an ideal culturing substrate. As a result, a laccase activity of 125.7 U/g and mycelium growth rate of 1.19 mm/d were achieved with a 30-d cultivation period and without the addition of foodstuffs or agricultural residues. The physical and chemical changes in the cultivated substrate were measured through a combination of morphology and spectroscopy analyses. The findings led to the selection of a liquid hot water treatment, which was optimized through comparative analysis among different conditions. With this technique, a maximum hemicellulose recovery ratio of 68.8% was achieved with treatment at 170 °C for 50 min. The number average and weight average molecular weights of the extracted hemicellulose were 1920 and 4289, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacities of white rot fungal treatments to degrade lignocellulose and further to improve the rumen degradability were examined in two kinds of corn stover (CAU3138 and ZN01). A total of seven fungi were evaluated according to their growth rates and selective values (SV) on both stovers under 28 °C for 28 days. Then, three selected fungi were evaluated by their in vitro gas production (IVGP) as a measure of rumen fermentation capacity. The results showed that Irpex lacteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus cystidiosus had high speeds of colonization and high SV on both stovers. The IVGP of the ZN01 treated with any of the three fungi was lower than that of the raw stover, and the IVGP of the CAU3138 treated with P. ostreatus and P. cystidiosus had no significant change (P > 0.05). However, the IVGP of the CAU3138 treated with I. lacteus was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and further increased as the treatment time was prolonged. This study indicated that SV was not always a good predictor for the performance of the fungus. Here, I. lacteus performed best, regarding fungal growth and IVGP of the CAU3138. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas projects are rapidly expanding in China, but there is insufficient cropland to degrade these biogas residues. Mushroom cultivation has been used to degrade various agricultural wastes. In this study, to screen the feasibility of utilizing biogas residues as potential substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus, seven different concentrations (0 to 60%) of biogas residue mixed with cottonseed hull, wheat bran, and lime were used to cultivate P. ostreatus. The mycelial growth rate, mycelial colonization time, yield, biological efficiency, chemical compositions, and content of four heavy metals, Cd (cadmium), Pb (lead), Hg (mercury), and As (arsenic), were analyzed. The results showed that 10 to 30% of biogas residue mixed in the substrates induced the growth of P. ostreatus mycelia faster than the others. A lower percentage (10 to 20%) of biogas residue added to the substrates is beneficial to the production and nutrient components of P. ostreatus, and the fruiting bodies produced on biogas residue-containing substrates conform to the safety standards for edible mushrooms. Although the total harvest is not significantly increased when biogas residue is added, the utilization of cheap biogas residues can conceivably reduce the practical cost and benefit the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm and six Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quél. strains were characterized from the National Culture Collection of Mushrooms, Institute of Botany Kholodny, National Academy of Science, Kyiv, Ukraine (IBK). The strains were grown under commercial conditions on a mixture of wheat straw and sunflower shells under both winter and summer temperatures typical for those climatic conditions. The strains were divided into three groups according to their growing patterns. Important characteristics were compared with a commercial analogue, HK-35, such as vegetative growth, generative growth, and biological efficiency (1.9- to 3.1-fold), and were recorded for strains 2251, 2292, 2316, 2319, and 2320 of P. ostreatus and 2314 of P. pulmonarius. Strains 2251, 2292, 2301, 2321 and 2323 were the most suitable for commercial production, while strains 2319 and 2320 could satisfy processing industry requirements with their high biological efficiency. Strains 2287 and 2317 produced high-quality fruit bodies but probably required a higher temperature for cultivation. Strain 2318 might be attractive for some consumers due to its unique and unusual fruit body shape. Strain 2314 was the most promising for summer cultivation, while strain 537 produced the highest quality fruit bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterologous expression of the gene LACP83 (encoding a laccase) from Pleurotus ostreatus in Escherichia coli was characterized. The laccase enzyme activity and kinetics of bacterial growth with an inducer (IPTG) and without inducer were determined. The maximum enzymatic activity was observed at 7 h post induction with a value of 3740 ± 342 U/L, which was similar to that reported for the native strain of P. ostreatus at 144 h of culture. Furthermore, the induction of laccase with IPTG reduced the specific growth rate of recombinant E. coli BL21 by approximately 50%. These results support the use this system for the recombinant production of the enzyme on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid-state fermentation (SSF) of ammoniated corn straw (ACS) by Pleurotus ostreatus Pl-5 was investigated. The SSF experiments were carried out for 20 d using ACS and corn straw (CS) as the substrates of the experimental group (EP) and control group (CP), respectively. The effects of the ammoniation pretreatment on the CS lignocellulose structure, fungal growth, enzyme production, and components of CS during the SSF process were analyzed. The ammoniation pretreatment effectively degraded the lignin and hemicellulose contents in the CS, by 15.3% and 7.7%, respectively. Thus, the in vitro digestibility (IVD) of the EP was higher than for the CP, and even higher than the ligninase activities (laccase: 661 U/g; MnP: 56.8 U/g) found in the CP. The higher cellulase activities (CMCase: 152.3 U/g; FPA: 224.7 U/g) in the EP improved the cellulose degradation, which also promoted the P. ostreatus Pl-5 growth, and the high total N content significantly increased the EP fungal biomass and amino acid contents. A shorter processing time and a higher level of nutrients were achieved by the SSF of ACS, which showed its potential for use in animal feed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus were used for the biopulping from pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). PALF substrate was subjected to T. versicolor for 2 to 6 weeks and to P. ostreatus for 4 to 8 weeks. The yields, holocellulose and lignin contents, and extractives in ethanol-toluene mixture and in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution were evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and color studies by L*a*b* systems were used for sample analysis. The results showed that the pulp yield was 55% to 70% with P. ostreatus and 35% to 50% with T. versicolor. Longer colonization periods increased the amount of holocellulose and decreased the amount of lignin and extractives in ethanol-toluene and NaOH solution. TGA showed an increase in intensity associated with cellulose, and the observed inflexion was attributed to lignin, which showed a tendency to fade. The FTIR spectrum showed high intensity between 3100 cm-1 and 3600 cm-1 (cellulose) and decreased intensity at 1730 cm-1 (lignin). For both fungi, the pulp color produced an increase in L* color parameter and decreased in yellowness, while little variation was observed in redness. The most appropriate colonization period was 5 weeks for P. ostreatus and 4 weeks for T. versicolor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequential solid-state and submerged cultivation with various lignocellulosic biomasses as a substrate for lignocellulolytic enzyme production by Pleurotus ostreatus were assessed by measuring endoglucanase, xylanase, and laccase activities. An unconventional preculture method was established by cultivating the P. ostreatus mycelia in a solid substrate medium for an initial fungal growth phase, followed by a transition to submerged fermentation through adding a liquid culture medium. The lignocellulolytic enzymes of P. ostreatus in different fermentation methods revealed wide differences. The higher yields of endoglucanase (3152 ± 139 U/L), xylanase (3064 ± 40 U/L), and laccase (543 ± 21 U/L) were achieved by using the sequential solid-state submerged method compared to conventional solid-state and submerged cultivation. Generally speaking, sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation of cottonseed hull is favorable for laccase secretion, whereas sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation of corncob provides better production of hydrolytic enzymes. These results revealed that the nature of the lignocellulosic biomass and the fermentation method play an important role in the expression of lignocellulolytic enzymes. This indication would be helpful in optimizing the production of integrated industrial lignocellulolytic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus, which is comprised of several different genotypes, is an important high-biomass crop with applications in the biofuel industry and in the formation of biocomposite materials. The overall composition of Miscanthus can be altered via degradation with wood rot fungi. The starting composition revealed that the cellulose content of Miscanthus x giganteus was higher than that in Miscanthus sacchariflorus and that the lignin contents were similar in both genotypes. Of the wood rot fungi, only Lentinus edodes appeared to have completely colonized M. sacchariflorus and showed significant degradation. In contrast, all of the brown rot fungi showed partial colonization of both Miscanthus genotypes and had little effect on the fibrous composition. Cellulose degradation by some white rot fungi increased with cellulose content whereas cellulose degradation by other fungi was independent of cellulose content. All of the white rot fungi showed similar rates of lignin degradation, except for Pleurotus ostreatus, which was higher on M. sacchariflorus. The effect of the moisture contents of Miscanthus on cellulose and lignin decomposition by Phlebiopsis gigantea SPLog6 and Coniophora puteana 11E was also investigated. These results revealed subtle differences in the growth of white rot fungi on different Miscanthus genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential for using cotton seed hulls (CSHs) and walnut shells (WSs) as new, essential substances for substrate preparation in the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus was studied. Substrates prepared with oak sawdust alone (OS) and with mixtures of OS and CSHs and WSs in different ratios were compared, and their effects on the earliness, total time, yield, and biological efficiency (BE) were determined. The nitrogen (N) content of the substrates prepared using CSHs and WSs alone was high, so the C:N ratio of the substrates diminished as the proportions of CSHs and WSs in the mixtures were increased. The highest yields were obtained from substrates containing the maximum amount of N. The highest yield and highest biological efficiency were obtained for a mixture of 25OS:75CSHs, indicating that the yield in the substrates increased as the amount of CSHs in the mixtures increased. The morphological characteristics were influenced by the various substrates and their various ratios. The properties of mushroom cultivation in bags were related to the nitrogen content, as indicated by the C:N ratios. The results indicated that CSHs and WSs could be used as new, essential substances in the preparation of substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), phenolic compounds, and antifungal activity of olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris) and juniper (Juniperus foetidissima) sapwood and heartwood extractives were examined. The extractives were obtained using methanol solvents. The different compounds in extractives were identified and quantified. The antifungal activities of different parts of the olive and juniper wood extractives were determined in vitro. Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium was used for the antifungal activity experiment. Extractive compounds obtained from olive and juniper woods were found to be effective, natural antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submerged culture conditions for laccase production by Pleurotus ostreatus were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). A total of six factors, carbon (glucose), nitrogen sources (urea and peptone), 2,5-xylidine (inducer), wheat bran (lignocellulosic material), and medium pH, were optimized. A total of 50 experiments were conducted, and the obtained data were modeled using a second-order polynomial. The optimized conditions show significant improvement in laccase expression, by approximately 3.5-fold (12,124 U/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black gram husk was used as a solid substrate for laccase production by Pleurotus ostreatus, and various fermentation conditions were optimized based on an artificial intelligence method. A total of six parameters, i.e., temperature, inoculum concentration, moisture content, CuSO4, glucose, and peptone concentrations, were optimized. A total of 50 experiments were conducted, and the obtained data were modeled by a hybrid of artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic algorithm (GA) approaches. ANN was employed to model the experimental data, and the predicted values were further optimized by GA. Employment of ANN-GA hybrid methodology resulted in a significant improvement, as approximately two-fold laccase production (4244 U/gds) was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-two fungal isolates were screened for lignin peroxidase production. The most potent isolates for lignin peroxidase production were identified using the DNA sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus ostreatus. The pretreatment of rice straw with P. chrysosporium, Pl. ostreatus, or lignin peroxidase for use in the biopulping process was studied. Great variations in the loss of pulp yield and kappa number were recorded with different fungal and enzyme treatments. Pretreatment of rice straw with P. chrysosporium for 25 days resulted in a substantial decrease in pulp yield (by 9.1%) and kappa number (by 25.6%). Losses of pulp yield and kappa number were considerably lower with lignin peroxidase treatment (3.7 and 14.1%, respectively). However, the pretreatment of rice straw with the Pl. ostreatus isolate caused moderate pulp yield losses (5.8%) and preferential lignin degradation (kappa number losses of 34.6%). This indicated that the Pl. ostreatus isolate might be superior to both the isolate of P. chrysosporium and lignin peroxidase for use in the biopulping process or other processes in which preferential lignin degradation is desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace elements, at tolerable concentrations, are either part of the active site or act as an activity modulator of ligninolytic enzymes of white-rot mushrooms. They are usually in plant raw materials in a non-toxic amount or non-available and extractable forms. This study evaluated the effects of Fe, Zn, and Se on the activity of laccase and Mn-oxidizing peroxidases of P. ostreatus and P. pulmonarius during solid-state fermentation of grapevine sawdust. The studied species showed different levels of tolerance to the trace elements. A stimulatory effect of the microelements on laccase activity was demonstrated in P. ostreatus, while Fe and Zn were strong inhibitors of the activity of P. pulmonarius, which was contrary to Se, independent of the cultivation period. With the exception of SeO2, activity of Mn-oxidizing peroxidases in P. ostreatus was suppressed in various levels by the elements. However, in P. pulmonarius, activity against phenol red oxidation in the presence of external Mn2+ was stimulated by the elements on day 7, while on day 10, activity inhibition by Fe and Zn and stimulation by Se was noted. The effect on activity against phenol red oxidation in the absence of external Mn2+ was the opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a gene (lacP83) encoding a Pleurotus ostreatus laccase isoenzyme expressed in submerged fermentation conditions is described. A 2,887 bp sequence was obtained from a genomic library of P. ostreatus by using a PCR inverse strategy. The coding sequence, 1,527 bp long, showed 17 exons and encoded a protein of 509 amino acids, with a putative signal peptide and conserved copper binding domains. The promoter region of the lacP83 gene (466 bp upstream of ATG) contains putative binding transcription factors such as MRE, XRE, a defense response element, and a stress response element. The protein and gene sequences of lacP83 showed, respectively, 90 to 96% and 78 to 92% of similarity to laccases of Pleurotus previously reported. However, it showed differences in its apparent molecular weight and promoter sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular enzyme production capacity of Pleurotus ostreatus MTCC 142 was investigated for decolorization of crystal violet under solid and submerged conditions. Laccases are the major extracellular lignocellulolytic enzymes produced by fungus. Pleurotus ostreatus provided an effective decolorization of dye at 20 mg/L concentration up to 92%. Mycelial growth was observed maximum on plate for a dye concentration 20 mg/L while lowest on 200 mg/L on day 12, respectively. At all concentrations of dye studied, maximum laccase activity was observed on day 8. For 20 mg/L of dye laccase activity was 133 U/L. The decolorization was attributed to microbial action and without role of pH change; less than 0.4 pH change was observed. Manganese dependent peroxidase activity was 106 U/L, maximum on day 8 incubated with 20 mg/L dye concentration. The present study suggested that the high efficiency decolorization of crystal violet by P. ostreatus was assisted by laccase and manganese-dependent peroxidase activity and can be exploited as a promising in biological treatment of waste water containing crystal violet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining and quantifying amino acid requirements will become an important consideration in the next generation of feeding schemes for dairy cattle beyond the current emphasis on identification of limiting amino acids. In this context different amino acid profiles of untreated, urea treated, fungal treated, and urea plus fungal treated lignocellulosic feed by both P. ostreatus wild and its two cellulase-minus/ less lignolytic mutants were analyzed. Cellulase-free mutant strains were obtained after 20 minutes of exposure to UV light and 0.4 seconds to X-rays. A UV mutant of P. ostreatus (POM1) exhibited better performance than the X-ray mutant (POM2) in terms of production of less cellulolytic and more lignolytic enzymes. Urea treatment of straw enhanced the total amino acid content by less than a factor of two, while the fungal treatment improved it by 13-14 times. Fungal treatment of urea-treated straw improved the total amino acid content by a factor of 15, indicating the importance of urea in the straw. Further, the fungal treatment of ureatreated straw enhanced the quantity of amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, aspergine, etc. by 15-20 times. The quantity of limiting amino acids such as methionine, lysine, and histidine was also enhanced by 8 to 10 times through the fungal treatment. Maximum amounts of all the amino acids were found in urea plus fungal (POM1) treated paddy straw than in only fungal treated and only urea treated paddy straws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of laccase by an indigenous strain of Pleurotus ostreatus HP-1 was studied on solid state fermentation. Culture parameters such as type and concentration of substrate, inoculum size, moisture content, pH, surfactant presence, temperature, and nitrogen source were optimized by conventional "one factor at a time" methodology. A maximum laccase yield of 3952 U g-1 of dry substrate optimized was obtained with wheat straw as substrate with five agar plugs as the inoculum, 60% moisture content, pH 5.0, surfactant concentration 0.015 gl-1, and nitrogen source (combination of L-asparagine and NH4NO3 at 10 mM concentration each) at incubation temperature 28°C. Enhancement in laccase activity was achieved with the use of various aromatic inducers and copper sulphate. Highest laccase activity of 14189 U g-1 of dry substrate was achieved using 0.28 mM copper sulphate under optimized conditions. Thus, the indigenous isolate seems to be a potential producer of laccase using SSF and can be exploited for further biotechnological applications. The process also promises economic utilization and value addition of agro-residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two lignolytic mutants (POM1 - U.V. irradiated and POM2 - X ray irradiated) of P. ostreatus wild type (POW) were developed and used in new feed formulations for ruminants. Paddy straw (10 kg) amended with coconut cake, glyricidia leaves, urea (2%), and rice bran (5%) along with mutant forms of P. ostreatus substantially increased the reducing sugars, crude protein, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), while reducing the lignin contents. Maximum amounts of reducing sugars (555 mg/100 ml) were reported in ration 1 with strain POW in 10 days of incubation period, while a minimum was recorded in POM1 (380 mg / 100 ml) in ration 1 in 30 days of incubation. U.V. irradiated mutant was responsible for accumulation of high crude protein (CP : 42.1 mg / 100 g) in ration 1 after 30 days of incubation. The percent lignin loss was more by mutant forms, and this loss was increased with increased incubation. As a consequence, IVDMD% has been gradually improved and maximized with feed formulations 3 (49.71%) and 1 (47.07%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]