Exocellular β-mannanases from hemicellulolytic fungi

Area of Science:

• Enzymology
• Mycology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Wood-rotting fungi are key in lignocellulose decomposition.
• Understanding their enzyme production is crucial for industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the production of β-mannan- and xylan-degrading enzymes by eight wood-rotting fungi.
• To characterize the activity and substrate specificity of these enzymes.

Main Methods:

• Culturing eight wood-rotting fungi on Avicel-supplemented media.
• Measuring activities of β-mannanase, endoxylanase, acetylxylan esterase, L-α-arabinosidase, and 4-O-methylglucuronidase.
• Assessing substrate affinities of β-mannanases for glucomannan and galactomannan.

Main Results:

• All fungi produced β-mannanase, endoxylanase, and acetylxylan esterase.
• L-α-arabinosidase and 4-O-methylglucuronidase production varied among species.
• β-mannanosidase was not detected in any culture filtrates.
• Polyporus versicolor and Schizophyllum commune exhibited the highest β-mannanase and endoxylanase activities.
• β-mannanases from Linzites saepiria and S. commune showed similar affinities for gluco- and galactomannan, while P. versicolor β-mannanase preferred glucomannan.

Conclusions:

• Wood-rotting fungi possess a diverse enzymatic machinery for degrading mannans and xylans.
• Enzyme production profiles differ significantly between species and with specific substrates.
• Polyporus versicolor and Schizophyllum commune are promising sources for industrial β-mannanase and endoxylanase production.