A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LIGNOCELLULOSE DEGRADING ENZYME-ACTIVITY IN MARINE FUNGI

Cellulolytic and ligninolytic activity in fifteen marine fungi was ass essed. All displayed endoglucanase and cellobiohydrolase activity indi cated by utilisation of carboxymethylcellulose and crystalline cellulo se respectively. Variations in salinity appeared to have little effect on the extent of cellulolysis. Ligninolytic enzyme activity as indica ted by dye decolorization was observed for several isolates, with inte nsity of reaction varying with respect to primary carbon source, pH an d salinity. Generally peroxidase activity as indicated by PolyR-478 dy e decolorization favoured high salinities, whereas laccase activity as indicated by oxidation of ABTS dye was more pronounced at lower salin ities.