Utilization of Poplar Leaves (Populus balsamifera L.) by Bioconversion

The results on the possibility of utilization of post-extractionation residues of green leaves of balsamic poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) by xylotrophic basidiomycetes Fomitopsis pinicola (strain Fp5–15) are presented. It was found that the most favorable for the growth and development of fungi is the residue after the extraction of alcohol-soluble substances. High growth parameters of fungi are observed on this substrate, such as the growth rate, which is 3.9 mm/day and the growth coefficient is 15.6. During the biocoversion of Fp5–15, F. pinicola utilizes up to 30 % of extractive substances and polysaccharides. At the same time, the utilization of easily hydrolyzable polysaccharides is 24 %, difficult-to-hydrolyze‑30 %. Also, in the process of destruction, up to 12 % of lignin substances are disposed of. The decrease in the mass of the substrate after the bioconversion process is 14 %. It is noted that in the process of bioconversion, the substrate is enriched with protein (up to 24 %)