Phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of Tunisian forest wood-degrading fungi: a wealth of novelties and opportunities for biotechnology

16 p.-2 fig.-5 tab.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.This project received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under Grant Agreement No. 245268 (to L.B.). This study was also supported by the SwissBOL project, financed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (Grant holder L.B.), the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (L.B. Grant Reference: SER No. C09.0139), and the European Union for the COST action FP0801 ‘‘Established and Emerging Phytophthora: Increasing Threats to Woodland and Forest Ecosystems in Europe’’.Peer reviewe