Characterization and Optimization of Bacterial Laccase Production and its Application in the Degradation of Selected Pollutants

Abstract

Laccases are widely distributed in nature and have been described in fungi plants and insects and more recently in bacteria and archaea indicating that the laccase redox process is ubiquitous in nature Laccase plays an important role in several biometabolic steps including those involved in fungal pigmentation plant lignification lignin biodegradation humus turnover and cuticle sclerotization wherein naturally occurring low molecular weight phenolic compounds and natural fiber polymers are utilized as substrates Jeon et al 2012 Among the increasing number of bacterial laccases reported several with distinctive functions have been described including roles in morphogenesis and sporulation process pigment production and resistance to copper and phenolic compounds Kim et al 2015 newline