PRODUCTION OF LACCASE BY CURVULARIA SP

A Curvularia sp. isolated from soil was found to contain laccase activity toward guaiacol as substrate. The organism produced an extracellular laccase in a medium containing yeast extract, peptone and dextrose. Initial medium pH 4.0 and cultivation temperature 30-degrees-C were found to be most suitable for maximum enzyme production. The optimum pH and temperature for laccase activity were found to be 5.2 and 50-degrees-C, respectively. Under optimum conditions, the enzyme had a K(m) (guaiacol) of 0.75 mmol/L and a V of 1.50 CU min-1 ml-1. Some divalent metal ions inhibited laccase activity at very low concentrations.