In-vitro depolymerization of Scutia buxifolia leaf-litter by a dominant Ascomycota Ciliochorella sp.

SAPARRAT M., ESTEVEZ J. M., TRONCOZO M., ARAMBARRI A, BALATTI, P.

INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2010

0964-8305

Scutia buxifolia leaves are resistant to degradation. The fungus Ciliochorella sp. is a (specific) typical inhabitant found in the leaf-litter of this plant species, being the most frequent one. The aim of this work was to analyze the ability of Ciliochorella sp. to degrade S. buxifolia litter in-vitro. Decay was assessed based on mass loss and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis. Also the pH, levels of sugars, ammonium-nitrogen and phenolics as well as lignocellulolytic enzyme activity were determined on the water-soluble fraction (WSF) from leaf litter treated with the fungus. After 60 days of fungal growth, there was a 4.7 % mass reduction coupled to a decrease in intensities of FT-IR spectral bands associated with specific cell wall polymers such as polysaccharides, proteins and lignin-related molecules. In addition, Ciliochorella sp. produced extracellular â-1,4 endoglucanase activity after 30- and 60-days incubation though in the latter there was a 3-fold increment. We conclude that Ciliochorella sp. transformed S. buxifolia litter by degrading mostly polysaccharides and also by altering aromatic structures at early stages of decay.