Abstract: [Objective] To search for wood-rotting fungi that are highly effective in producing ligninolytic enzymes(LMLs), such asLac, MnP, and LiP.[Methods] Nine strains of wood-rotting fungi with known ability to produce LMLs were screened and their biological characteristics studied.[Results] The strains with high capacity of generating LMLs and their yields on each of the LMLs were found to be:LS136 (yielding Lac at 0.18 U·L^-1, LiP at 109.68 U·L^-1, and MnP at 140.38 U·L^-1), LJ485 (yielding Lac at 136.99 U·L^-1, LiP at 9.53 U·L^-1, and MnP at 72.05 U·L^-1), and LJ496 (yielding Lac at 163.39 U·L^-1, LiP at 9.50 U·L^-1, and MnP at 74.36 U·L^-1). The optimum growth temperature for the 3 fungal strains was approximately 25℃, and pH ranged 4 to 8. The strains were all highly tolerant to Cr³⁺ or Pb²⁺ at concentrations of 0-8 mmoL·L^-1 and Cu²⁺ at 0-4 mmoL·L^-1. At the concentrations between 1-4 mmoL·L^-1, Cr³⁺ promoted the growth of LJ485 and LJ496.[Conclusion] The identified LS136 was thought to be a Stereum sp., LJ485 identified as Trametes versicolor, and LJ496 considered an Antrodiella sp.. They all demonstrated varying capacities of producing LMLs with a tolerance to heavy metals. The information would be useful for further investigation on the utilization of these lignin degrading fungi.

Key words: wood-rotting fungus, ligninolytic enzymes, biological characteristics