Growth of 1044 strains and species of fungi on 7 phenolic lignin model compounds

Growth of 1044 strains and species of micromycetes on 7 phenolic lignin model compounds as sole carbon source has been investigated. It was found that phenol inhibited growth, followed by catechol and guaiacol. Protocatechuic, vanillic, syringic and ferulic acids allowed the highest growth. Most of the fungi grown on protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic and syringic acids produced normal fructifications whereas fructification was perturbed on guaiacol and phenol. Guaiacol, syringic acid and catechol were the strongest pigment inducers. Generally fungi imperfecti had a good growth on phenolics, however only a limited number of Yeasts could use these compounds. It appears that the biodegradability of the phenolic compounds declined with the decrease of their water solubility.