Studies on hypersaline-tolerant white-rot fungi I: Screening of lignin-degrading fungi in hypersaline conditions

Abstract

To search for marine fungi that have significant lignin-degrading ability in a hypersaline environment, eight strains of marine fungi were selected from 28 strains isolated from mushrooms and driftwood sampled from mangrove stands in Okinawa, Japan. We evaluated the decolorization ability, delignification ability, and biobleaching properties of the strains; then strain MG-60 was screened as a hypersaline-tolerant lignin-degrading fungus. We have summarized its growth, decolorization ability, and bioble-aching properties at various sea salt concentrations. The strain has been estimated to belong to the Phlebia family.