ROLE OF LIGNIN PEROXIDASE AND MANGANESE PEROXIDASE OF PHANEROCHAETE CHRYSOSPORIUM IN THE DECOWRIZATION OF OLIVE MILL WASTEWATERS

SUMMARY The relative contribution of lignin peroxidase (LiP) versus manganese peroxidase (MnP) to the decolorization of olive mill waste-waters (OMW) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. A relatively low level (25%) of OMW decolorization was found when P. chrysosporium was grown in a high Mnll concentration and in which a high level of MnP (38 nKat/mL) was produced. In contrast, a high degree of OMW decolorization (more than 70%) was observed when P. chrysosporium was grown in low Mnll concentration but which resulted in a high level of LiP activity (8 nKat/mL). In this culture medium, increasing the Mnll concentration resulted in decreased OMW decolorization and LiP activity.