Nutritional regulation of synthetic lignin (DHP) degradation by Phlebia (Merulius) tremellosa: effects of nitrogen

Abstract

Supplementary nitrogen added to cultures of Phlebia tremellosa in a nitrogen-limited synthetic medium delayed the appearance of lignin-degrading activity. It also accelerated the consumption of the carbon (energy) source by the cultures, decreasing the amount of cosubstrate available to support lignin biodegradation. Ammonium chloride, glutamate, albumin, and yeast extract all had similar effects, with small differences in the timing and extent of the lignin degradation that they allowed. Key words: lignin biodegradation, cosubstrate, nitrogen, selectivity.