Use of syringaldazine for detection of laccase in sporophores of wood rotting fungi.

Fungal laccase can be detected with the nonautooxidizable laccase­ specific compound, syringaldazine, in the presence of tyrosinase and per­ oxidase. Data are presented from tests with the azine derivative of numerous fungous sporophores and associated decayed wood tissues from various localities in Wisconsin and Oregon. Syringaldazine is shown to be a reliable replacement and more specific reagent for the detection of extracellular fungal laccase, and in the absence of laccase and in the pres­ ence of hydrogen peroxide, for peroxidase. Laccase is further implicated in fruit-body formation.