Lignin peroxidase production by strains of Phanerochaete chrysosporium grown on glycerol

Lignin peroxidase production by several strains of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was determined during growth on glycerol under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency. Fungal strains which grew poorest on glycerol produced the highest titres of lignin peroxidase whereas enzyme levels were much lower when marginally greater biomass values were recorded. In the case of P. chrysosporium strain INA-12, the nature of the nitrogen source had a pronounced effect on both growth and enzyme production. Highest biomass values were obtained when L-glutamate or L-glutamine served as the major nitrogen source but enzyme synthesis was normally repressed completely. Lignin peroxidase activity in this strain was maximal when the initial pH of the culture medium was adjusted to pH 5.0.