Effect of an atmosphere of oxygen on growth, respiration, and lignin degradation by white-rot fungi

Abstract

Lignin degradation by the white-rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Coriolus versicolor, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Lentinus edodes, Grifola frondosa, Polyporus brumalis, and Merulius tremellosus was faster in an atmosphere of oxygen than in air. Gloeoporus dichrous, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Bondarzewia berkeleyi degraded lignin at equal rates in oxygen and in air. Increased oxygen partial pressure also stimulated carbohydrate consumption by most of the fungi. In liquid shake culture, the fungi grew as well under an atmosphere of oxygen as air. However, respiration was faster under oxygen, suggesting that the fungi required more energy for growth and maintenance in oxygen. On delignified wood, most of the fungi grew equally rapidly in air and oxygen. Apparently, the growth of these fungi in wood in air is limited by the rate of lignin degradation.