In this study, we cloned the gene encoding 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) from the hyper-lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624. The deduced amino acid sequence showed highest identity (93.0%) to ALAS of P. chrysosporium. Expression of the gene encoding ALAS, which we named aas, corresponded temporally with the expression and activity of manganese peroxidase.

High-molecular-weight polymers were produced by a crude concentrated supernatant from ligninolytic Phanerochaete chrysosporium cultures in a reaction mixture containing pentachlorophenol and a humic acid precursor (ferulic acid) in the presence of a detergent and H2O2. Pure manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase were also shown to catalyze the reaction.

Three wild-type white rot fungi and two cellulase-less mutants developed from Phanerochaete chrysosporium K-3 (formerly Sporotrichum pulverulentum) were tested for their ability to delignify grass cell walls and improve biodegradation by rumen microorganisms. Fungal-treated and control stems of Bermuda grass were analyzed for their content of ester- and ether-linked aromatics by using alkali ex...

The extracellular enzymes and cell mass from the pregrown Phanerochaete chrysosporium cultures were used for the degradation of PCP. The use of both extracellular enzymes and cell mass resulted in extensive mineralization of PCP, while the action of only the crude extracellular enzymes led to the formation of a degradation intermediate (TCHD). A kinetic model, which describes the relationship a...

The ability of selected bacterial strains and consortia to mineralize degradation intermediates produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium from 14C-labeled synthetic lignins was studied. Three different molecular weight fractions of the intermediates were subjected to the action of the bacteria, which had been grown on a lignin-related dimeric compound. Two consortia isolated from wood being decay...

The kinetics of cotton cellulose depolymerization by the brown rot fungus Postia placenta and the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were investigated with solid-state cultures. The degree of polymerization (DP; the average number of glucosyl residues per cellulose molecule) of cellulose removed from soil-block cultures during degradation by P. placenta was first determined viscosimet...

Wood-inhabiting Basidiomycetes have been screened for various applications in the pulp and paper industry and it is evident that different fungi need to be used to suit the specific requirements of each application. This study assessed the suitability of 278 strains of South African wood-decay fungi for the pre-treatment of softwood chips for kraft pulping. The influence of these fungi on kappa...