Analysis of wood decay and ligninolysis in Polyporales from the Nile Delta region of Egypt

Wood decay fungi found on living or dead trees in fruit orchards in the Nile Delta region of Egypt were isolated into pure culture and their ligninolytic capabilities examined. Growth on ash sawdust was monitored by quantification of ergosterol and laccase/peroxidase activities using the model substrate ABTS. Two species from the polyporoid clade of order Polyporales exhibited faster growth and greater enzymatic activity than two isolates from the phlebioid clade but these differences were not reflected in dry weight loss of wood. Cellophane strips impregnated Remazol Brilliant Blue dye and MnCl2 impregnated plates were used to show the distinctive spatiotemporal patterns for the four species.