Production of Laccase from Coriolus versicolor and Its Application in Dye Decolorization in Combination with UV/H2O2 Technique

Abstract The relative ability of Coriolus versicolor to grow on coir fiber as a ligninocellulosic material was examined. Addition of yeast extract to the culture increased laccase activity, which was further enhanced to the level of 1976 U/L by addition of 1 mM copper sulfate. Laccase thus produced was used without further purification for the decolorization of various dye solutions. Decolorization efficiency was compared with the conventional environment friendly oxidation technique using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of UV radiations. Laccase showed good decolorization in most of the cases. Excellent results were achieved when the dye solution was treated successively with laccase and UV/H 2 O 2 wherein more than 80% decolorization was achieved. This value is remarkably higher than that attained either by the enzyme or UV/H 2 O 2 photolysis alone.