BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF CHEMICAL LIGNIN: I. SULPHITE WASTE LIQUOR

Abstract

The wood staining fungus Endoconidiophora adiposa was found to be capable of decomposing approximately 10% of the lignin fraction of sulphite waste liquor media as measured by the β-naphthylamine precipitation method. It was also capable of utilizing 10 to 15% more of the reducing sugars than yeast. In the preparation of a suitable culture medium a number of different neutralizing agents were tested but, provided the proper pH adjustment was attained, there was little difference in their effect. Phosphate and nitrogen compounds were the only supplementary nutrients required and, for the fungus tested, organic and ammonia nitrogen was more satisfactory than inorganic nitrates.