Ligninolytic activity of tropical rainforest basidiomycetes

A total of 116 strains of Brazilian tropical rainforest basidiomycetes were evaluated in terms of their ability to oxidize the dye rhemazol brilliant blue R (RBBR) and guaiacol. Laccase and peroxidase activities were detected by the drop test using solutions of a-naphthol and pyrogallol, respectivel y. RBBR and guaiacol oxidation occurred in 96.6 and 87.1% of the strains te sted, respectively. One hundred strains oxidized both substrates. In the dr op test, most strains presented laccase (96.6%) and peroxidase (92.2%) acti vity. The quick screening method used here can be useful to identify lignin olytic fungal strains to be used in various biotechnological applications.