Effect of Carbon Sources on The Extracellular Lignocellulolytic Enzymetic System of Pleurotus Sajor-Caju

The edible fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju was investigated for its ability to grow on different carbon sources and to produce various ligninolytic and cellulolytic enzymes such as laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, xylanase and cellulase. The production pattern of these extracellular enzymes was studied during the growth of this fungus in shake cultures for a period of 20 days. The presence of complex polysaccharides containing substrates such as olive mill wastewater (OMW) and wheat straw in the growth medium were found to be favorable for the production of the above extracellular enzymes. Simple carbon sources were rapidly utilized and consumed by the fungus which lead to high biomass formation with low levels of enzymes activity. On the other hand, complex carbon sources exhibited a similar growth rates and a better induction process for more enzyme biosynthesis and production. The maximum enzymatic activities were obtained between 2 and 14 days of culture growth.