Screening and assessment of laccase producing fungi isolated from different environmental samples

Laccase is a copper-containing polyphenol oxidase that acts on a wide range of substrates. This enzyme is found in many plant species and is widely distributed in fungi including wood-rotting fungi where it is often associated with lignin peroxidase, manganese dependent peroxidase, or both. Because of its importance in bioremediation, fungal cultures were screened for laccase positive production by plate test method using the indicator compound guaiacol. Out of 12 cultures tested, six cultures were found to be laccase-positive with Stereum ostrea and Phanerochaete chrysosporium being the best potential cultures. Laccase production on 5 different liquid media was compared using these two white rot fungi.