Page 315 - Demo

SECTION II. APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY... 319CAT activity in 2 out of 7 species, and the low enzyme activity observed in the remaining fungal strains on PDA medium, indicates that this substrate is not ideal for the production of fungal CAT and Lac. The basidiomycete fungi possess higher Lac and CAT activity compared with the ascomycetes. Meanwhile, pomegranate peel it is suitable for the production of antioxidants such as favonoids. It exhibited superior activity of both enzymes on this food waste. G. applanatum BV14 was the least effective species among the four basidiomycete fungi that were assessed, while P. pulmonarius BV13 showed the highest peroxidase activity. Basidiomycetes known for their role as wood-decomposing fungi, secrete extracellular oxidoreductases, such as laccases, which play a key role in breaking down lignin in their natural lignocellulosic substrates [16] . In addition, the difference in enzyme activity between the two fungal groups was also distinct. Both enzymes were expressed only in the basidiomycetes, particularly on pomegranate peels, but with very low activity in the ascomycetes. This can be explained, basidiomycetes are wood-degrading fungi, they release extracellular oxidoreductases, such as laccases and other oxidative enzymes such as peroxidase, which play a direct role in the breakdown of lignin in their natural lignocellulosic substrates [16-18]. Ballaminut (2009) found that fungal catalase suppressed laccase activity in many basidiomycete fungi [19]. The biodegradation ability of Basidiomycota is due to the production of laccase and various peroxidases that have been demonstrated [20]. Additionally, a notable difference between Basidiomycota and Ascomycota is observed in their antioxidant activities, with Basidiomycota exhibiting higher levels of flavonoid content and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to Ascomycota. The fungal species tested also show a limitation in flavonoid production when cultured on PDA medium, resulting in much