Statistical Optimization for Enhanced Production of Extracellular Laccase

Laccases (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) are the extracellular most extensively studied group of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of a broad range of aromatic amines and phenolic compounds. Among the various fungi, white rot fungi are the well-known and potent producers of Laccase [1]. In recent years Laccase have attracted commercial significance due to their intensive use in food (10), textile [2], and pulp and paper industry [3], in waste water treatment [4] in bioremediation [5] and in nano-biotechnology [6]. Studies on Laccase producing microorganisms and Laccase production are being been strengthening in the recent years. Screening for potent source of Laccase and optimization of cultural different for higher yields of Laccase are carried out by several groups [7-9]. The optimization of physico-chemical parameters that involves variation in levels of single independent variable while rest of variables kept at a particular level has numerous demerits in terms of time, process, yield and economics [10]. Application of PBD statistical optimization is expected to improve both quality and quantity of product. It is known that expression of Laccase in fungi is influenced by physicochemical parameters like pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources, media constituents etc. In the present work a potential lignolytic fungal strains was isolated from its natural habitat (bark scraping, field soil samples, decaying wood) produced higher amount of Laccase. Statistical optimization using PBD software resulted in further increase in enzyme yield.