Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PRELIMINARY SCREENING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIGNINOLYTIC ACTINOMYCETES AND ITS APPLICATION ON COIR PITH

R. Arthikha, G. Suryapriya , Reshmi Gopalakrishnan and K.Madhanasundareswari

Abstract

Lignin is a complex carbohydrate that possess a high molecular weight and are with various biologically stable linkages. It is considered as the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose. Actinomycetes are the major contributor in degradation of lignin by producing enzymes and are safe towards the environment. The Actinomycetes were isolated from the soil and inoculated in Starch Casein Agar and identified. These isolated strains were grown on to the minimal media with lignin as the sole carbon source, around four strains were found to show lignin degradation (LD-1, LD-2, LD-3 and LD-4). The optimization study was carried out for its good characterization with a pH (6, 7, 8), growth temperature (28o, 37o, 45o) with a fixed tannic acid of 0.3 %. These strains were checked for its enzymatic activity ( Laccase activity, Lignin peroxidase and Manganese peroxidase) using plate assay method. Coir waste is found to have a highest lignin content (30 - 31%), which can accumulate on land and cause environmental pollution. The main aim of the study is to identify the best strain that shows the lignin degradation and application of the strain in coir pith.