The importance of the enzymatic degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose by brown-rot fungi is still under discussion. Endo-ß-1,4-xylanase and endoglucanase activities of Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta cultures were measured by the increase in reducing groups. Enzymes were produced in liquid and solid sawdust based culture media. Enzyme activities were measured in two, four and eight week intervals from the beginning of the test. The ability of brown-rot fungi to degrade crystalline and noncrystalline cellulose by an enzymatic pathway was studied by measurement of total cellulase activities from Coniophora puteana and Serpula lacrymans. Low enzyme activities were noted. This result indicates strongly that these fungi possess a complete cellulose-degrading enzymatic pathway.

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