Isolation of thermophilic fungal strains producing oxido-reductase and hydrolase enzymes from various Tunisian biotopes

The present study surveys 37 thermophilic fungal strains, that were isolated from various Tunisian biotopes such as litter, husk and compost, for their involvement in lignin degradation activities. Oxido-reductase and hydrolase activities were screened. Oxido-reductase activities, such as Extracellular Oxidase, Laccase, Tyrosinase and Peroxidase, were tested. Hydrolase activities, namely Lipase, Protease, Amylase and Cellulase, were also revealed. Strain ST26, isolated from locally made compost, and showed an important laccase activity with ABTS and DMP, was selected. Laccase activity of strain ST26 was 1575 U/l in liquid media. This strain was identified and was belonging to Scytalidium genus and more precisely to the specie Scytalidium thermophilum using 5.8S rRNA gene sequencing analysis.

► 37 thermophilic fungal strains were isolated from various Tunisian biotopes. ► Oxido-reductase and hydrolase activities were screened. ► Isolated strain ST26, showing an important laccase activity (1575 U/l), was selected. ► This strain was identified to belong to the specie Scytalidium thermophilum. ► This identification was realized using 5.8S rRNA gene sequencing analysis.