Screening of Schizophyllum commune strains for laccase and peroxidase production

Schizophyllum commune is an effective wood-degrading basidiomycete producing many hydrolytic, cellulolytic and lignolytic enzymes viz., lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccases, which degrade complex plant biomass made of recalcitrant lignin. Three strains of S. commune viz., DMRX-2156, DMRX-2157 and DMRX-2160 were used for the study. Among the S. commune strains, DMRX-2160 took the minimum period of 9.23 days for complete coverage on petridish with maximum radial mycelial growth (0.97 cm/day). All the three tested strains reacted positively to the qualitative plate assay for laccase and peroxidase activity. Quantitative estimation of laccase and peroxidase enzymes from mycelia and broth of S. commune submerged cultures was done using substrates viz., guaiacol and pyrogallol for laccase and peroxidase, respectively. DMRX-2156 recorded the highest extracellular laccase activity (30.55±3.66 U/g) and peroxidase activity (242.34±36.66 U/g).