Biodegradation of lignocellulose in Bermuda grass by white rot fungi analyzed by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance.

Following the solid-state fermentation of Bermuda grass by two lignin-degrading white rot fungi, compositional changes have been observed in situ by utilization of cross-polarization and magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance difference spectra and interrupted decoupling spectra. Intensity differences in the 13C resonances assigned to specific components of the cell wall were used to observe these changes. Bermuda grass treated with Phanerochaete chrysosporium K-3 exhibited losses primarily in the polysaccharide components, with a smaller proportion of phenolic components also being degraded. In contrast, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora FP 90031-sp removed a proportionate amount of phenolic components compared with polysaccharide components. The results also indicated that C. subvermispora preferentially removes guaiacyl phenolic components relative to syringyl phenolic components, while P. chrysosporium was nonspecific in its attack on phenolic components.