African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (11), pp. 444-447, November 2003
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2003 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production and regulation of lignin degrading enzymes from Lentinus squarrosulus (mont.) Singer and Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler

WUYEP. P. A ¹ KHAN, A. U¹, AND NOK, A. J.²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: pwuyep@yahoo.com.

Accepted 18 October 2003

The influence of metal ions on the production and regulation of ligninase and mycelia extension of two type Basidiomycetes (Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata) cultivated on lignocellulose waste was investigated. Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions stimulated growth of both fungi and mycelia extension significantly.  Ligninase production increased two to twelve fold under the influence of Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions at concentrations of 20 to 80 mM.  Mg²⁺ and K⁺ ions did not stimulate growth and extension of fungal mycelia, rather fungal cultures became deactivated after six days. The importance of mycelia extension and enhanced enzyme production has biotechnological applications in wood and pulp, textile and tanning, as well as in oil industries.

Key words: Basidiomycetes, Lentinus squarrosulus, Psathyrella atroumbonata, ligninase, cofactors.