EFFECT OF CULTURAL CONDITIONS ON BIOMASS AND LACCASE PRODUCTION IN SUBMERGED MEDIUM BY SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE (FRIES), A NIGERIAN EDIBLE MUSHROOM

Schizophyllum commune (Fries), a Nigerian edible mushroom was assessed for fungus biomass and production of laccase in submerged medium. Cultural conditions such as temperatures, pH, carbon sources and nitrogen sources were optimized. Fungus biomass requirements were determined by the mycelia dry weight method. Results showed that temperature of 280C was optimal for both fungus mycelial biomass yield (109.18±5.20mg/30cm3) and production of laccase (51.5±2.12 U/min). The optimal pH for, fungi mycelial biomass yield and laccase activities was 5.5. Of the 5 carbon sources tested, glucose supported the highest fungus mycelial biomass yield of (88.32±1.50 mg/cm3), while mannose supported the highest laccase enzyme production with 47.5 ±1.85 (U/min) of laccase (p<0.05). The most utilized nitrogen source for fungus mycelial biomass yield and laccase activity was urea and yeast extract, which stimulated fungus mycelial biomass yield (125.25±3.45 mg/30cm3) and laccase production of (65.5±2.52 U/min). The implications of these findings were discussed.