Increased enzymatic activities and levels of superoxide anion and phenoliccompounds in cultures of basidiomycetes after temperature stress

Selected strains of basidiomycetes (Abortiporus biennis, Trametes versicolo r and Cerrena unicolor) were shown to produce enhanced extracellular peroxi dase (EP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and laccase activities following the exposure of 10-day-old fungal cultures to separate high and low temperature stress. The stressful conditions also caused an increase in the concentrat ions of phenol compounds and superoxide anion radicals in these cultures. A t first, peroxidase activity was observed at 12 hours from the moment of te mperature stress application. Laccase activity appeared at 96 hours after t he maximum levels of superoxide anion radicals (48 h) and SOD activity (36- 72 h). The concentration of phenolic substances grew steadily during the pe riod of cultivation. These relations between laccase, SOD and EP as well as superoxide radicals and phenol levels in the environment of Ligninolytic f ungi seems to be important in the course of the biosynthesis or biodegradat ion of lignin, as the consequence of adaptation of these basidiomycetes to environmental temperature conditions.