Effect of Nutrients on the Production of Extracellular Enzymes for Decolorization of Reactive Blue 19 and Reactive Black 5

Several white-rot fungi are able to produce extracellular lignin-degrading enzymes such as manganese peroxidase (MnP), lignin peroxidase (LiP), and laccase. In order to enhance the production of laccase and MnP using Trametes versicolor KCTC 16781 in suspension culture, the effects of major medium ingredients, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, on the production of the enzymes were investigated. The decolorization mechanism in terms of biodegradation and biosorption was also investigated. Among the carbon sources used, glucose showed the highest potential for the production of laccase and MnP. Ammonium tartrate was a good nitrogen source for the enzyme production. No significant difference in the laccase production was observed, when glucose concentration was varied between 5 g/l and 30 g/l. As the concentration of nitrogen source increased, a lower MnP activity was observed. The optimal C/N ratio was 25 for the production of laccase and MnP. When the concentrations of glucose and ammonium tartrate were simultaneously increased, the laccase and MnP activities increased dramatically. The maximum laccase and MnP activities were 33.7 U/ml at 72 h and 475 U/ml at 96 h, respectively, in the optimal condition. In this condition, over 90% decolorization efficiency was observed.