Two isolates of Fusarium proliferatum from different habitats and global locations have similar abilities to degrade lignin

Two isolates of Fusarium proliferatum from different global locations and habitats mineralized several natural and synthetic lignins. MUCL 31970 was isolated from a forest soil whereas the second strain, NRRL 31071, was a wheat endophyte causing disease in stressed seedlings. Onset and the fastest rate of lignin mineralization occurred during logarithmic and early stationary-phase of culture. Reduction of glucose in the medium shortened log-growth phase and advanced the onset of mineralization for both isolates. Mineralization correlated with the detection of extracellular laccase and aryl alcohol oxidase activities. The carbon-nitrogen ratio in the medium influenced laccase isozyme production and secretion by both strains. These studies suggest that both F. proliferatum strains degrade lignin via comparable routes, despite their different habitats and saprophytic or endophytic strategies.