AbstractFollowing a previous study on the biodegradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) (100 mg L−1) by Zygomycetes, other taxonomic groups (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Yeasts) have been investigated in relation to their ability to produce extracellular phenoloxidases. Ascomycetes gave heterogeneous results since disappearance of PCP occurred both in phenoloxidases‐producing and non‐producing strains. Basidiomycetes were high producers of phenoloxidases and showed a moderate depletion of PCP. Yeasts degraded PCP very poorly and did not produce phenoloxidases. No correlation was found between phenoloxidases production and PCP depletion. ©1994 by John Wiley&Sons