The effect of bacteria on biomass production, schizophyllan production and material properties of Schizophyllum commune

Abstract

Twenty-seven Schizophyllum commune strains were grown with or without E. coli on SCMM agar, in liquid shaken SCMM cultures or pre-grown on SCMM agar and then placed on LB agar to assess the effect of E. coli on biomass and schizophyllan production in S. commune. Individual S. commune strains reacted differently to E. coli and either increased, decreased or showed no significant change in biomass or schizophyllan production. Selected strains were grown in liquid shaken SCMM cultures either with or without E. coli or a tenfold excess of thiamine to assess if additional thiamine excreted by E. coli increased biomass and schizophyllan production in S. commune. Addition of tenfold excess thiamine increased biomass in one strain and increased schizophyllan production in another strain indicating that thiamine is not the deciding factor in most cases. Two S. commune strains were grown with or without a Paraburkholderia species (L480) on LB agar. S. commune grown with L480 resulted in a lower biomass production. Mycelium sheets were made of S. commune grown with or without E. coli to assess change in material properties. Density, maximum stress and maximum strain were higher in mycelium sheets made from S. commune strains grown with E. coli. Together results show that individual S. commune strains are differently affected when grown together with bacteria in different conditions.