Production, characterisation and immobilization of laccase for an efficient aniline-based dye decolourization

Abstract

Laccase was produced by cultivation of Trametes versicolor on non-expensive substrates, barley husk and eggshell, in solid-state conditions. An efficiency of crude laccase extract in free and immobilized form for the degradation of aniline-based dye was investigated in batch experiments. Up to 91 % of dye conversion was achieved using free crude enzyme, while the use of partially purified enzyme led to 60.9 % of conversion. Crude laccase was immobilized on calcium alginate beads and used in 10 cycles-repetitive batch experiments where complete decolourization was achieved. The results of this study suggest that a) barley husk and eggshell can be used for laccase production without the need to add additional carbon and nitrogen sources or mineral compounds; b) crude laccase entrapped in alginate beads can be applied in aniline-based dye decolourization in repetitive batch experiments.