Abstract:
The Xylariaceae is a group of wood inhabiting f~~ngi, that are able to degrade lignocellulosc.Lignocellulosic materials contain three major components, cellulose. hemicellulose and the phenolic polynler lignin. In this work twelve members of Xylariaceae were studied: 9 Xylaria spp, Xypoxylon sp., Kretzschmaria sp. and Daldinia sp. All grew best on PDA at 2.5c. The optimum temperature for growth mas behiern 20-30'c. with only a few growing at temperature over 30'c (35'c).These w ere .Yj 1l11.i~ sp. 830 and Dcll~iinicl eschscholzii 87 1 . Enzj me activitj tests showed that all strains could utilize cellulose and xylan substrates. Xylaric~ sp. 830. Xylc~ria sp. 875 and Kretzschnmria sp. 564 did not produce phenol oxidase under the conditions employed. Nevertheless, peroxidase activity by decolourization of poly R- 478 dye was found only in Xylnrin sp. 830 at the 90% and 23% under static and shaking conditions, respectively. Quantitative analysis for cellulase and xylanase activities was low in all 12 strains, the maximum activity of cellulase and xylanase was found only at 18.93 and 36.98 unitlml in Xylariu cubensis 803. The ability to degrade lignocellulose in wood was performed in laboratory. The Sonnercrticr was degraded about 7.4-27.7% during 2 months exposure to the fungi, while Kundeliu wood was degraded about 6.2-30.2% during 3 months. High moisture content in wood was found to be a factor enhancing degradation. The degradation is also carried out under field condition, at Khao Yai National Park with Yylar.icr sp. 870 and Xylaritr sp. 830 on wood and seeds samples. The cultures were well grown on these samples before tested under field condition. The resultswere fou11d that .-\j.lnr.i~r sp. 870 was able to degrade seeds at 9, 15 and 2 1% and wood at 16, 27 and 28 % after 2, 4 and 6 months exposure, respectively. Whilst, A'ylaria sp. 830 was able to degrade seeds at 15,23 and 28% and wood at 19. 30 and 33% after 2. 4 and 6 n~o~~ths exposure. respectively.