Nepalese White-Rot Fungus Ganoderma lucidum: A Potential Source of Ligninolytic Enzymes for Aromatic Dye Degradation

This study evaluates aromatic dyes degradation in solid and liquid media and the ligninolytic enzymes production by the white-rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The results demonstrated that G. lucidum degraded Congo red (CRD) and methylene blue (MBD) more rapidly than malachite green (MGD) (p < 0.0001). In the solid medium containing CRD and MBD, the fungus showed a high decolorization index, while its mycelial growth remained unaffected by the presence of dye. Similarly, in liquid media, G. lucidum effectively decolorized CRD and MBD. Similarly, the fungus was cultured in naphthalene supplemented liquid media to assess the ligninolytic enzyme production. Laccase activity peaked at 8 days (985 U L-1), while lignin peroxidase reached maximum activity at 14 days (1192 U L-1), followed by a decline in both enzymes. These results suggest the potential of G. lucidum for selective bioremediation of dye-contaminated environments.