Enzymatic lignin degradation in rye straw by micromycetes

Galactomyces geotrichum and Myrothecium verrucaria were grown on rye straw and phenol oxidase activity (peroxidase, laccase and tyrosinase) and after 20, 30 and 60 days lignin degradation was investigated. The amount of lignin in rye straw was reduced more by G. geotrichum than M. verrucaria (48% vs. 42% relative to controls). For the former, the greatest peroxidase activity was recorded after 60 days and tyrosinase after 30 days.