Quantitative Evaluation of the Production of Ligninolytic Enzymes- Lignin Peroxidase and Manganese Peroxidase by P. Sajor Caju During Coir Pith Composting
Abstract
Coir is the natural hard fruit fibre extracted from the exocarp of the coconut. The fibre has over 40 percent lignin and is spun into yarn and rope. Coir is used globally for manufacturing floor coverings as home furnishing. The Coir Industry enjoys the status as the largest cottage industry in Kerala giving employment to over a million people, of which 80 percent constitute women. Coir pith is a biomass residue generated during the extraction of coir fibre from coconut husk. Coir pith produced during coir fibre extraction is of environmental concern as its dumping on shore line and leaching of its constituents alter water quality and aquatic life. Management of coir pith is a major problem with all coir industrialists. Hillocks of coir pith accumulate in the vicinities of coir fibre extraction units in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Orissa. These agricultural wastes have traditionally been disposed by burning which resulted in various environmental problems. Therefore, composting is an alternate way to dispose coir pith and is of critical importance. Ligninolytic enzyme production during coir pith composting by Pleurotus sajor caju has been studied in detail. Pleurotus sajor caju produces oxidative enzymes which degrade lignin in the presence of urea as nitrogen source. Substitution of urea with vegetative sources has resulted in the vigorous growth of the mushroom which leads to decreased lignin content and C: N ratio in the biodegraded coir pith. Combination of Azolla and Soya hulls as biological supplements was observed to be the best substitute for lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase production. Activity of manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase was maximum on the twentieth day of fermentation of coir pith. The level of enzyme activity during biological composting using vegetative sources was compared with the conventional process using urea. The enzyme profile exhibited variation with change in substrate and duration of decomposition. The colonization of Pleurotus sajor caju by its utilization leads to biochemical changes in coir pith converting it into an ideal plant nutrient.
References
Cullen, D. and Kersten, P.J. (2004) Enzymology and Molecular Biology of Lignin Degradation. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 249-263.
De Bertoldi, M., Ferranti, M.P., L’Hermite, P. and Zucconi, F. (1987) Compost production, Quality and Use. Elsevier Applied Science, London, p.853.
Dorothy, A.B. and Froedrich, E.B. (1960) The Chemistry of lignin.pp7-10, 173-179.
Eriksson, K.E., Blanchette, R.A. and Ander, P. (1990) Microbial and enzymatic degradation of wood and wood components, 3rd edn. Springer, New York, pp.253-305.
Garcia-Martinez, D.V., Shinmyo, Madia, A. and Deman, A. L. (1980) Studies on cellulose production by Clostridium thermocellum. Europ. J. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 9: 189-197.
Ghosh, P.K., Sarma, U.S., Ravindranath, A.D., Radhakrishnan, S. and Prasenjeet Ghosh (2007) A Novel Method for Accelerated Composting of Coir Pith. Energy Fuels. 21 (2).
Higuchi, T. (1980) Lignin Biodegradation: Microbiology, Chemistry and Potential Applications. Eds T.K. Kirk. T. Higuchi and Hou-Min Chang. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, p.1.
Kirk, T.K. and Farrell, R.L. (1987) Enzymatic “combustion”: the microbial degradation of lignin. Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 41: 465-505.
Muthukumar, G. and Mahadevan (1983) Microbial degradation of lignin. Journal of Scientific and Industrial research. 42: 518-528.
Moriya, O., Yoshimasa, M., Toru, J. and Toshiaki, K. (2001) Lignin degradation and roles of white rot fungi. Study on an efficient symbiotic system in fungus - growing termites and its application to bioremediation. Riken Review. 42: 39-42.
Moorthy, K.V. (1981) Microbial and chemical studies on the cultivation of P. sajor caju (Fr.) Singer, M. Sc Thesis, University of Agri. Sciences, Bangalore.
Norman Leuis, G. and Sinio Sarknen (1998) Lignin and lignan bio-synthesis. American chemical society: 1-13.
Pandey, A & Radhakrishnan, S (1993). The Production of Glucoamylase by Aspergillus niger NCIM 1245. Process Biochemistry 28,305-309
Pudelski, T. (1987) In Compost: Production, Quality and Use, eds M. De Bertoldi, M.P. Ferranti, P.L’Hermite and F. Zucconi. Elsevier Applied Science, London, p.20.
Rajarathinam, S. and Zakia, B. (1998) Biodegradative and biosynthetic capabilities of mushrooms: Present and future strategies. Critical Reviews of Biotechnology. 18(2): 91-236.
Stephen, Y.L. and Carlton, W.D. (1992) Methods in lignin chemistry. Springer series in wood sciences.
Tien, M. and Kirk, T.K. (1984) Lignin degrading enzyme from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Purification and characterization and catalytic properties of unique H2O2 requiring oxygease. Proc. Natl Acad Sci. 81: 2280-2284
Tomati, U., Galli, E., Pasetti, L. and Volterra, E. (1995) Bioremediation of olive-mill wastewaters by composting. Waste Management and Research. 13:509-518
Wood, D.A. (1979) Degradation of composted straw by the edible mushroom. A. bisporous. Enzyme activities with mycelia growth and fruit body formation (Ed. Grass word, E) 95-104.
