Changes in the enzyme profile of the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta in co-culture with the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum and its potential for dye decolorization

Co-cultivation has emerged as an effective strategy to mimic natural microbial interactions and modulate extracellular enzyme production. In this study, interactions between the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta and the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum were investigated with respect to growth and production of lignocellulolytic enzymes in solid and liquid cultures. Growth assays on solid medium revealed mixed mycelial growth without pigment formation at the interface zone, indicating partial compatibility between species. Co-cultivation led to pronounced changes in the enzyme activities compared to monocultures. Oxidative enzyme activities were strongly stimulated, with peroxidase activities increasing 2-3-fold relative to B. adusta monoculture, despite the absence of peroxidase in G. trabeum. Conversely, cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities were significantly reduced under co-culture conditions compared to G. trabeum monoculture. Zymogram analysis and ion-exchange chromatography confirmed that peroxidase production was restricted to B. adusta and the co-culture. The enzyme cocktail obtained from co-culture exhibited superior performance in Remazol Brilliant Blue R decolorization (∼ 90%) compared to B. adusta monoculture (∼40%). These findings demonstrate that interspecific fungal interactions can selectively shift the enzymatic balance toward oxidative mechanisms, highlighting cocultivation as a promising approach for generating enzyme systems with improved potential for dye bioremediation.