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Lignin peroxidase (LiP), which has been studied extensively in white-rot Basidiomycetes with regard to bio-pulping and bio-bleaching, plays a role in the biodegradation of plant cell wall lignin. In the current study, LiP obtained from a wild isolate of Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized on polyurethane foam cubes was purified 21-fold using ammonium sulphate precipitation and size exclusion chromatography. The enzyme with a molecular mass of 55 kDa exhibited a considerably higher pH tolerance and thermostability compared with the native enzyme. It showed a strong affinity for the substrate veratryl alcohol and had kinetic constant values of 142.86 µmol and 65 µM. Cysteine, sodium azide, mercaptoethanol, and silver nitrate inhibited the activity, while ethanol, EDTA, Cu2+, Mn+, Na+, and Fe2+ exhibited induction. Purified LiP completely decolorized (100%) bromo phenyl blue, bromothymol blue, and bromocresol green. The 96 and 72% degradation obtained with phenol and congo red was also higher compared to crude LiP. Treatment with LiP showed reduction in ADL as compared to untreated straws, with a maximum of 2.87 units obtained in JR followed by 2.66 units in PS. The digestibility of all straws increased, the response varying from a maximum of 21.27 units in PRM to a minimum of 12.32 units obtained in LM.

Pentose based prebiotic xylooligosaccharides attracts greater attention around the world because it exhibits several beneficial effects to the host. Therefore, an in vivo experiment was carried out to reveal the effects of corn husks derived xylooligosaccharides in broiler chicken. The day-old broiler chickens (96; divided into 2 groups) were raised for 3 weeks on control diet or same diet supplemented with 0.5% xylooligosaccharides (XOS); derived from corn husks. In order to produce the XOS, xylan was extracted from the corn husks by alkaline extraction. The xylan was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at pH 5.8, temperature 44°C, enzyme dose of 5.7U/ml for 17h to yield XOS. The concentrated XOS was supplemented in the diet of broiler chicken during the entire experimental periods. Albeit, no positive influence was noticed on either the live weight or feed conversion efficiency, but 0.5% XOS supplementation resulted in to selective stimulation of Bifidobacteria, coupled with reduction in the population of Streptococci and E. coli in the caecum of broiler chicken. In line with the caecal microflora changes, blood biochemical profiling reflected reduced cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentration as a result of XOS supplementation. Thus, corn husks derived XOS showed positive influence on caecal microflora and blood biochemical profile in broiler chicken and could be incorporated in the diets for ensuring beneficial effects.