STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF PHYSICAL AND NUTRITIONAL FACTORS FOR LACCASE PRODUCTION BY ENVIRONMENTAL FUNGAL ISOLATE NS-1

Neha Sharma, Sheenu Sharma, Kirandeep Kaur, Neena Puri* and Naveen Gupta*

ABSTRACT

Laccases are multi-copper oxidases. They are lignin degrading enzymes and are found in bacteria, fungi, plant, insects. Fungal laccases possess high redox potential and wide substrate specificity and has been widely used in various environmental and biotechnology allied areas. Different production parameters were tested for enhanced laccase production by isolate NS-1 and the interactive effect of MnSO4.7H2O, wheat bran, pH and CuSO4.5H2O were found to significantly enhance enzyme yield. Consequently, the concentration of these significant factors was further optimized using statistical experimental design. A ten-fold increase in laccase production was achieved under optimized conditions.

Keywords: Laccase, bacterial, optimization, enzyme yield, pulp bio-bleaching.