Properties of crude laccase from Trametes versicolor produced by solid-substrate fermentation

A low-cost process for the production of laccases is necessary for a sustainable enzymatic wastewater treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an easy and low-cost procedure for the production of laccase. In the present study the properties of crude laccase from Trametes versicolor produced by solidsubstrate fermentation are investigated. The application of the enzyme for dye decolorization is also studied. Crude laccase from the studied culture established maximal activity at 45 degrees C. The enzyme retained over 90% of its activity in the temperature range 40 degrees C-47 degrees C and pH 4.5. The kinetic constants of the crude enzyme was also determined. In the presence of KCl, NaCl, CaCl2,MnSO4 and MgSO4, laccase demonstrated high stability -- over 50% of its initial activity was still retained after 4-month incubation. Complete loss of enzymatic activity was observed in the presence of CuCl2, FeCl2, FeCl3 and NaN3 after 30 min of incubation.