Isolation and Screening of Wood Decaying Fungi Producing Laccase

Abstract

      Laccase enzyme is a multicopper enzyme of the lignolytic enzyme system which has capability to oxidize diphenol and related compounds. It is widely used in processing of agricultural by-products and in water treatment. This study was conducted to isolate and screen fungal strains which have laccase activity from the natural decaying wood samples. Samples of decayed woods were collected from different locations and the fungi were isolated, cultured and purified. Test for presence of laccase and enzyme activity were used to screen laccase-producing fungi strains with the high laccase activity. Five fungal strains, designated as BN1, BN2-1, BN2-2, DA3-1 and BV1 were isolated, cultured and morphologically described (colonies, mycelium and spores). These strains showed high laccase activity with BV1 expressing highest activity (247.20 U/ml) and highest rate of enzyme activity per dry weight after 5 days of culture (E/m, 54.04 U/mg). BV1 strain was tentatively classified as a species of the genus Meruliporia.