Semi-continuous ligninase production using foam-immobilised Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract

The immobilisation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in cubes of polyurethane foam enables ligninase to be produced on a semi-continuous basis. At each successive harvest, cultures are purged with oxygen and ligninase activity induced with veratryl alcohol. Using 200 ml of a five-fold dilution of the batch culture medium in 1l flasks, harvests of ligninase with the same apparent protein profile by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) are obtained every 24 to 48 h.