LIGNIN MODIFYING ENZYMES OF LIGNICOLOUS FUNGI FROM RATHANMAHAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, GUJARAT, INDIA.

Lignicolous basidiomycetes are highly specialized organisms that are capable of degrading lignin, one of the most abundant and resistant organic compounds. Through their enzymes and secondary metabolites, these fungi have a great potential that can be successfully used in various biotechnological processes, ranging from mycoremediation of different pollutants and isolation of bioactive molecules with applications in the pharmacological industry and agriculture, as biocontrol agents of phytopathogens. The importance of lignicolous fungi and their ligninolytic enzymes has been well appreciated globally. So lignicolous fungi from Rathanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India were tested for presence of Lignin Modifying Enzymes and effect of nitrogen on enzymatic activity. Basal medium containing KNO3, NaNO3, Ca(NO3)2 and NH4(NO3)2, was used to test the efficacy of ligninolytic activity. The highest aryl alcohol oxidase activity was observed in case of basal medium supplemented with NH4(NO3)2 i.e. 6.85 U/ml whereas lowest in case of NaNO3 i.e. 0.15 U/ml. highest laccase activity was observed in basal medium containing NH4(NO3)2, whereas lowest laccase activity was observed in case of NaNO3. The highest lignin peroxidase activity was observed in presence of NH4(NO3)2, whereas lowest in case of Ca(NO3)2. For the first time effect of Nitrogen on Aryl Alcohol Oxidase activity by Lenzites sterioides, Navisporus floccosus and Flavodon flavus was reported.