Comparison of the toxicity of various lignin-related phenolic compounds toward selected fungi perfecti and fungi imperfecti.

A selection of 88 micromycetes belonging to various taxonomic groups was grown on malt-agar medium containing different lignin-related phenolic compounds (ferulic, protocatechuic, syringic and vanillic acids, catechol, guaiacol, and phenol) at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/liter. Growth and morphological changes were recorded after 15 days of incubation. Behavior of fungi in contact with the different phenolics were compared. Some strains were very sensitive and might constitute specific or general bioindicators of pollution. The relationships between origin of isolates or constitutive phenoloxidase activity and resistance or sensitivity of fungi to phenolics were researched. No evidence of implication of these two parameters was found.