The Lignocellulolytic Effect from Newly Wild White Rot Fungi Isolated from Colombia

Lignocellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on earth. It is the main agro-industrial waste component, it has no added value, and in some cases is the main cause of environmental problems. The fungi can be used in the transformation of residues and different biotechnological processes. In the present research, seven strains of white rot fungi collected in Ibague (Colombia) were isolated. The production of ligninolytic and cellulolytic enzymes as well as their capacity to transform lignocellulose from banana peel, rice husk and cocoa pod husk were evaluated. Strains of Pycnoporus sanguineus, Hexagonia glabra and Lentinus crinitus were selected from the enzymatic screening and showed high production of ligninolytic enzymes. The evaluation of agricultural waste degradation was carried out by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and the results showed the ability of the tested fungi to, preferentially, degrade lignin or cellulose in each substrate. Based on the results, different biotechnological potentialities for each strain were proposed.