Concurrent Biosurfactant and Ligninolytic Enzyme Production by Pleurotus spp. in Solid-State Fermentation

Pleurotus spp. is known as one of the significant producers of ligninolytic enzymes which efficiently degrade lignocellulosic materials. Recent studies on potential of biosurfactant production by Pleurotus spp. have increased. Biosurfactants have several positive features compared to synthetic ones. We investigated simultaneous and economic biosurfactant and ligninolytic enzymes (laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase) production by Pleurotus djamore, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus sajor-caju in solid-state fermentation in three different growth media. Sunflower seed shell was used as solid substrate; hence, it was not only an alternative way to reduce environmental pollution but also a potential for production of valuable biotechnological products. During the study, oil spreading efficiency, emulsification index (E), surface tension (ST), and enzyme activities were assessed. Correlations between biosurfactant and enzyme activities were investigated. To results, the most active biosurfactant was produced by P. djamore in medium II (ST = 29.79 ± 0.5 mN m−1; E24 = 35.29 ± 2.6 %; diameter of clear zone = 3.5 ± 0.3 cm), and the highest LiP activity was determined as 5,832.26 ± 102 UL−1. When FTIR was used to confirm the various functional groups, the results may indicate the protein-polysaccharide-lipid complex structure of produced biosurfactant. Degradation of several environmental pollutant compounds is a common usage area of biosurfactant and ligninolytic enzymes.