Qualitative and quantitative analysis of lignin degradative enzymes in Ganoderma strains under arid conditions

Abstract

Indian mesquite {Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce} is the most important component of the prevailing agro-forestry system in agricultural fields. Recently, this important tree is prone to attack by a soil-borne plant pathogen viz., Ganoderma lucidum (L) Karst, which is becoming a continuous threat by large scale mortality in these standing trees. Ganoderma spp. cause extensive heart rots of standing trees by growing in the central, non-living woody tissue decomposing lignin and cellulose. Lignin, the second most abundant renewable organic polymer on earth, is a major component of wood. Wood and other lignocellulosics are the important resources for the production of paper products. White rot fungi produce various extra cellular enzymes, which can oxidize phenolic compounds creating phenoxy radicals, and non phenolic compounds via cation radicals. In this paper, we identified Ganoderma species producing more degradative enzymes.