The effect of fungal morphology on ligninolytic enzyme production by a recently isolated wood-degrading fungus Trichophyton rubrum LSK-27

The morphology and ligninolytic enzyme production of a recently isolated wood-degrading fungus Trichophyton rubrum LSK-27 was investigated. In submerged cultures, the organism appeared to be an efficient manganese peroxidase (MnP) producer. When grown in baffled and unbaffled shake. asks with three different working volume/total volume ratios (WV/TV 10, 25 and 50%), the organism displayed notable morphological differences, with variations in pellet shape and size. Cultivation in baffled flasks with 25% WV/TV resulted in higher MnP and also laccase production as well as an earlier appearance of these enzymes in culture broth. However, oxygen limitation conditions inhibited MnP and laccase production and resulted in considerable changes in the morphology of this fungus.