Abstract
Production of hydroxyl radical in ligninolytic cultures was determined by measuring the .alpha.-oxo-.gamma.-methylthiobutyric acid-dependent production of ethylene gas. The pattern of ethylene production was very similar to that of ligninolytic activity ([14C]lignin .fwdarw. 14CO2). Nutritional parameters, which affect ligninolytic activity, affected OH.-radical-dependent ethylene production in a similar fashion. Apparently, assay for ethylene production from .alpha.-oxo-.gamma.-methylthiobutyric acid is a simple and sensitive measure of ligninolytic activity by P. chrysosporium.