Influence of some surfactants and related compoundson ligninolytic activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium Free

Several surfactants were tested as possible stimulators of ligninase production in agitated culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. In addition to Tween 80 and Tween 20, surfactants already known to have a stimulatory effect, polyoxyethylene oleate (15EO)C_18:1 and the hydrophilic fraction of Tween 80, were also found to enhance ligninase activity over 200-fold, indicating that surfactants as such may not be the true active substances. Cultures with increased ligninase activities exhibited preferential enrichment of total and polar lipids in palmitoleic acid and an increased unsaturation index.