Abstract:

Degradation of lignin and cellulose in straw by Coriolus versicolor can be affected by Cu2+ and pH. The optimal conditions for lignin and cellulose degradation were investigated through orthogonal array design. Activities of ligninase and cellulase, and degradation rates of lignin and cellulose were used to evaluate the effects of Cu2+ and pH on degradation efficiency of Coriolus versicolor. Results indicated that the degradation rate of lignin was positively correlated to the concentration of Cu2+ and was negatively correlated to pH value; in contrast, the degradation rate of cellulose was positively correlated to pH value and was negatively correlated to Cu2+ concentration. The optimal conditions for Coriolus versicolor to decompose lignin and cellulose in straw were 2 mmol/L of Cu2+ and pH 2.2. The degradation rate of lignin exhibited 16.1% and the degradation rate of cellulose revealed 27.7% of reduction compared with natural degradation conditions.

Key words: Coriolus versicolor, straw, lignin, cellulose