Phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of Tunisian forest wood-degrading fungi: a wealth of novelties and opportunities for biotechnology.
In this study, 51 fungal strains were isolated from decaying wood samples collected from forests located in the Northwest of Tunisia in the vicinity of Bousalem, Ain Draham and Kef. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of the ribosomal DNA showed a high diversity among the 51 fungal isolates collection. Representatives of 25 genera and 29 species were identified, most of which were members of one of the following phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota). In addition to the phylogenetic diversity, a high diversity of secreted enzyme profiles was also detected among the fungal isolates. All fungal strains produced at least one of the following enzymes: laccase, cellulase, protease and/or lipase.
Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering and Microbiology, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4,5, BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia. daleldaassi@yahoo.com.|Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Khulais, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. daleldaassi@yahoo.com.
Dalel
D
Daâssi
Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering and Microbiology, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4,5, BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
Héla
H
Zouari-Mechichi
Laboratory of Soil Biology, University of Neuchatel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2009, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.|NextBiotech, Agareb, Tunisia.
Lassaad
L
Belbahri
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Jorge
J
Barriuso
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
María Jesús
MJ
Martínez
Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering and Microbiology, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4,5, BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
Moncef
M
Nasri
Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering and Microbiology, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 4,5, BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia. tahar.mechichi@enis.rnu.tn.
Tahar
T
Mechichi
Biotechnological application; Enzyme activities; Isolation; Laccase; Wood degrading fungi