Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the ligninolytic system of fungal strains isolated from Egyptian agricultural soil which are efficient in biodegradation and mineralization of lignin. They were identified morphologically, microscopically and confirmed by RAPD profiles. Based on PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene an analytical phylogenetic tree was drawn for species confirmation. The screening experiment revealed that Emericella nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Phoma betae, Penicillium oxalicum and Humicola grisea exhibited maximum potential for high lignin degradation. They showed higher lignin peroxidase and laccase activities. By process optimization, enhanced lignin degradation (94 %) was achieved within 7 days in lignin-glucose medium when compared with lignin degradation (70 %) obtained in glucose-free medium. The ligninolytic enzymatic activities had a great potential for decolorization of chemically different synthetic dyes (Azure B, Safranin, Crystal Violet and Malachite Green). The highest enzymatic activities and the highest decolorization rates were detected at a dye concentration of 0.2 g/L. The dye decolorization rate significantly increased with tryptophan addition as (1 mmol/L). Humicola grisea showed the highest decolorization rate (99 %) with azure B. Phoma beta also showed a high decolorization rate (99 % with crystal violet and 90 % with safranin). The observed activity enhancement resulted from the protective effect of tryptophan against H₂O₂ inactivation.