Potential of Trametes hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes during degradation of agricultural residues

Abstract

Trametes hirsuta is an efficient lignin-degrading species due to its ability to produce laccase and Mn-dependent peroxidase. Agricultural residues represent prospective substrates for the bioconversion into fungal biomass and lignocellulolytic enzymes, but also they could be potential environmental pollutants. Evaluation of the potential of T. hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes during solid-state fermentation of selected plant raw materials was the goal of the study. The highest level of laccase activity (3827.0 ± 219.0 U/L) was noted in mandarin orange peels medium, while wheat straw and glucose-enriched mandarin orange peels media were the optimum for Mn-dependent peroxidase (1971.5 ± 23.0 U/L) and versatile peroxidase (1173.0 ± 100.0 U/L), respectively. Levels of veratryl alcohol oxidation in the presence of H2O2 were similar to those in its absence during fermentation of all selected agricultural residues, and the highest values were obtained in glucose-enriched mandarin orange peels medium. The obtained results demonstrated the potential of T. hirsuta to produce ligninolytic enzymes and mineralize various plant wastes to low-molecular weight compounds that could be further used in food, feed, and other industries.