Degradation of Lignin by Cyathus Species

Abstract

The ability of 12 Cyathus species to degrade 14 C-labeled lignin in kenaf was studied. The sum of 14 C released into solution plus 14 C released into the gas phase over a 32-day fermentation period was used to determine average daily rates of lignin biodegradation. Cyathus pallidus. C. africanus , and C. berkeleyanus delignified kenaf most rapidly. C. canna showed the greatest preference for lignin degradation over other plant components, and its rate of lignin degradation was only slightly lower than the three most active species. The apparent ability of fungi to metabolize low-molecular-weight lignin breakdown products correlated well with their overall delignification rates. C. stercoreus metabolized degradation products of lignin from wheat straw better than those from kenaf lignin, based on the amount of low-molecular-weight products left in solution.