Mamta Bisht and Priyanka Meena
Abstract
This study evaluated the novel application of the white-rot fungus Trametes sp. for biopulping of poplar wood chips as an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. The isolated fungal strain Trametes sp. exhibited selective lignin degradation capabilities with high laccase production along with moderate xylanase and cellulase activities. The present experiment was conducted in three different mediums, i.e. Solid (PDA), liquid (PDB), and liquid (PDB) + aeration. Among the mediums, solid-state conditions proved optimal and achieving 35.8% weight loss of poplar wood chips after 60 days treatment, significantly higher than PDB and PDB + aeration conditions. However, the lignin content decreased by 9.3 %, the cellulose remained largely intact at 38.9 % under solid culture, indicating the fungusâs selectivity towards delignification over cellulose degradation. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visually confirmed the colonization and disruption of wood vessels and parenchyma cells by the fungal hyphae. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis provided molecular evidence of substantial lignin degradation through diminished peaks corresponding to aromatic lignin components like guaiacyl and syringyl after fungal treatment. This pioneering use of Trametes sp. demonstrates promising biopulping potential by selectively removing lignin from wood chips while preserving cellulose. These results valorize this fungal strain for future industrial applications.