Seven white-rot fungi, known to degrade complex biomolecules and xenobiotic
s were used for investigation on biodegradation of lantadene A (LA), the bi
oactive pentacyclic triterpenoid of Lantana camara. Pleurotus sajor-caju an
d Merulius tremellosus PRL-2845 did not degrade LA. Trametes versicolor MTC
C-138, Heterobasidion annosum MTCC-146, Phellinus pini RAB-83-19, Pleurotus
ostreatus MTCC-142 and Phlebia radiata 2 utilized LA to the extent of 11-1
5.7%. This is the first report on the fungal degradation of a pentacyclic t
riterpenoid. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.