Objective  To search for wood-rotting fungi that are highly effective in producing ligninolytic enzymes(LMLs), such asLac, MnP, and LiP.

  Methods  Nine strains of wood-rotting fungi with known ability to produce LMLs were screened and their biological characteristics studied.

  Results  The strains with high capacity of generating LMLs and their yields on each of the LMLs were found to be:LS136 (yielding Lac at 0.18 U·L^-1, LiP at 109.68 U·L^-1, and MnP at 140.38 U·L^-1), LJ485 (yielding Lac at 136.99 U·L^-1, LiP at 9.53 U·L^-1, and MnP at 72.05 U·L^-1), and LJ496 (yielding Lac at 163.39 U·L^-1, LiP at 9.50 U·L^-1, and MnP at 74.36 U·L^-1). The optimum growth temperature for the 3 fungal strains was approximately 25℃, and pH ranged 4 to 8. The strains were all highly tolerant to Cr³⁺ or Pb²⁺ at concentrations of 0-8 mmoL·L^-1 and Cu²⁺ at 0-4 mmoL·L^-1. At the concentrations between 1-4 mmoL·L^-1, Cr³⁺ promoted the growth of LJ485 and LJ496.

  Conclusion  The identified LS136 was thought to be a Stereum sp., LJ485 identified as Trametes versicolor, and LJ496 considered an Antrodiella sp.. They all demonstrated varying capacities of producing LMLs with a tolerance to heavy metals. The information would be useful for further investigation on the utilization of these lignin degrading fungi.