High production of ligninolytic enzymes from white rot fungi in cereal bran liquid medium

White rot fungi from the University of Alberta Mold Herbarium, identified a s able to degrade aromatics from a study of PCB metabolism, were examined f or production of ligninolytic enzymes. Production of lignin peroxidase, man ganese peroxidase, laccase, and veratryl alcohol oxidase were monitored dur ing growth in different media. Good growth but low enzyme production occurr ed in a glucose - malt extract - yeast extract medium. Media containing 2% cereal bran in 60 mM phosphate buffer supported high levels of laccase prod uction, up to 13 000 U/L in Coriolopsis gallica UAMH 8260 and manganese per oxidase activity up to 1100 U/L in Bjerkandera adusta UAMH 8258. Cereal bra n media supported higher laccase production than 2,5-xylidine and higher ma nganese peroxidase production than a medium containing manganous ion plus v eratryl alcohol.