Studies on Enzyme Activities of Schizophyllum Commune During the Degradation of Grevillea Robusta Wood

Enzyme studies of Grevillea Robusta during the Schizophyllum commune infection indicates the presence of Cellulase, Pectinase, Phenolases, Protease, Catalase, Peroxidase etc. The production of Pectinase, Phenoloxidases, Proteases and Peroxidase enzyme activities were increased during the fungal pathogenesis. The amount of catalase activity was gradually decreased during the infection (1.33μ mole/ml to 0.40 μ mole/ml) Culture filtrate of the fungus show increased enzyme activities of cellulase and pectinase as compared to that of the fungal fructification. However, maximum catalase activity was observed in the fungal fructification (7.33 μ mole/ml). In mycelium the proteolytic enzyme activity was considerably increased. From the findings, it may be assumed that the production of proteolytic enzymes by Schizophyllum commune may play an important role along with pectinolytic and cellulolytic enzymes in the degradation of Grevillea wood.