Abstract:

         We determined the activities of five kinds of hydrolases from nine Cyathus  and six  Nidula  isolates for the proper utilization and evaluation of bird's nest fungi. Experimental results show that there are significant differences for the same hydrolase activity among different isolates, as well as for the same isolate among different hydrolase activities.  Nidula  spp. 134 shows the highest chitinase activity of 122.1 U/mL.  Cyathus spp. 24 shows the highest β-1, 3 glucanase activity of 143.7 U/mL. Cyathus spp. 185, cultured at 25℃, shows the highest cellulase activity of 62.3U/mL. It also shows the highest cellulase activity of 137.6 U/mL when cultured at 35℃. The cellulase activities of all isolates cultured at 35℃ for 4 weeks are higher than those cultured at 25℃ for 2 weeks. Nidula spp. 134 shows the highest xylanase activity of 464.8 U/mL when cultured at 25℃. Cyathus spp. 185 shows the highest xylanase activity of 745.6 U/mL when cultured at 35℃. The xylanase activity of all isolates cultured at 35℃ for 4 weeks are higher than those cultured at 25℃ for 3 weeks. Cyathus spp. 150 shows the highest lignin peroxidase activity of 0.297 U/mL when cultured at 25℃. Cyathus spp. 185 shows higher complex hydrolase activities, as compared with other isolates. It may be desirable for the degradation of plant straw.

Key words: Cyathus spp., Nidula spp., chitinase, β-1, 3Glucanase, cellulase, xylanase, lignin peroxidase