Growth of 1044 strains and species of fungi on 7 phenolic lignin model compounds

Growth of 1044 strains and species of micromycetes on 7 phenolic lignin mod el compounds as sole carbon source has been investigated. It was found that phenol inhibited growth, followed by catechol and guaiacol. Protocatechuic , vanillic, syringic and ferulic acids allowed the highest growth. Most of the fungi grown on protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic and syringic acids pro duced normal fructifications whereas fructification was perturbed on guaiac ol and phenol. Guaiacol, syringic acid and catechol were the strongest pigm ent inducers. Generally fungi imperfecti had a good growth on phenolics, ho wever only a limited number of Yeasts could use these compounds, It appears that the biodegradability of the phenolic compounds declined with the decr ease of their water solubility. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.