Nitrogen sources of Oligoporus placenta and Trametes versicolor evaluated in a 23 experimental plan

Four full-factorial 23 experimental plans were applied to evaluate the nitrogen (N) sources of Oligoporus placenta and Trametes versicolor and their interaction with the atmospheric N2-assimilating bacterium Beijerinckia acida. The effects of N from peptone, of sapwood and of N from gaseous N2 on fungal, bacterial and fungal–bacterial activity were investigated. The activities were determined by quantification of biomass, formation of CO2, consumption of O2 and laccase activity. The significance of each effect was tested according to t-test recommendation. The activity of both fungi was enhanced by peptone rather than sapwood or gaseous N2. Nevertheless, comparative studies under an N2-free gas mixture as well as under air revealed that the presence of N2 affected bacterial growth and bacterial–fungal cocultivations. Elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) of the bacterial and fungal biomass enabled estimation of N transfer and underlined gaseous N2 as requisite for fungal–bacterial interactions. Combining full-factorial experimental plans with an analytical set-up comprising gas chromatography, IRMS and enzymatic activity allowed synergistic effects to be revealed, fungal N sources to be traced, and symbiotic fungal–bacterial interactions to be investigated.