Production of lignin modifying enzymes on industrial waste material by solid-state cultivation of fungi

In this study we investigated the use of three industrial waste materials as substrates for white-rot fungi in solid-state cultivation (SSC). The materials used were oat husks and waste from paper process industry: fibre sludge and combined fibre and de-inking sludge (FDS). The aim of the work was to find suitable fungi able to grow and produce lignin modifying enzymes, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase, on the used waste materials. Fifteen strains were tested. The best enzyme producing strains were Trametes versicolor K 120a2 and Cerrena unicolor T 71. C. unicolor T 71 showed the greatest potential for industrial use because of its ability to produce significant amounts of both enzymes simultaneously in short time period. The highest enzyme activities (MnP 64 nkat/g DW and laccase 178 nkat/g DW) were obtained on the medium containing sole oat husks or oat husks supplemented with 20% (w/w) of FDS.