Enzymology of ligno-cellulose degradation by Pleurotus sajor-caju during growth on paper-mill sludge

The mechanism of degradation of paper-mill sludge containing lignin and cellulose was studied, for establishing a technology for the bioconversion of paper-mill solid wastes and waste lignins to useful materials and for protecting the environment from lignin-related pollutants. The degradation of cellulose by Pleurotus sajor-caju was rapid at the initial stages of growth. The activities of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase were maximum at 8, 12 and 26 days of growth, respectively. The activities of lignin-degrading enzymes were maximum at the later stages of the growth. Such a delignification process is considered to have potential applications in the cinversion of paper-mill sludge into food, animal feed and fibre products.