Screening of Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Activities in Fungal Species and Sequential Solid-State and Submerged Cultivation for the Production of Enzyme Cocktails

Various fungal species can degrade lignocellulolytic materials with their enzyme cocktails composed of cellulolytic and lignolytic enzymes. In this work, seven fungal species ( DSM 2185, CBS 372.70, CBS 663.74, CBS 456.75, JCM 2738, f.sp. JCM 9293, and JCM 23107) and four nutrient media were used in the screening for effective lignocellulose degrading enzymes. From the seven tested fungi, and , along with nutrient medium 4, were selected as the best medium and producers of lignocellulolytic enzymes based on the determined xylanase (>4 U mg ) and glucanase activity (≈2 U mg ). Nutrient medium 4 supplemented with pretreated corn cobs was used in the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes by sequential solid-state and submerged cultivation of , , and a mixed culture of both strains. showed 6 times higher exoglucanase activity (3.33 U mg ) after 5 days of cultivation in comparison with (0.55 U mg ). also showed 2 times more endoglucanase activity (0.33 U mg ). The mixed culture cultivation showed similar endo- and exoglucanase activities compared to (0.35 U mg ; 7.84 U mg ). Maximum xylanase activity was achieved after 7 days of cultivation of (≈16 U mg ), while showed maximum activity after 9 days that was around 2 times lower compared to that of The mixed culture achieved maximum xylanase activity after only 4 days, but the specific activity was similar to activities observed for It can be concluded that both fungal strains can be used as producers of enzyme cocktails for the degradation of lignocellulose containing raw materials, and that corn cobs can be used as an inducer for enzyme production.