Production of manganese peroxidase and laccase in laboratory-scale bioreactors by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The production of ligninolytic enzymes by the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 (ATCC 24725) in laboratory-scale bioreactors was studied. One bioreactor was filled with cubes of polyurethane foam and the other with cubes of nylon sponge, in order to determine the more suitable carrier to produce high ligninolytic enzyme activities by this fungus. Both cultivations were carried out in batch. Manganese-dependent peroxidase activities about 600 U l(-1) were achieved in the bioreactor filled with cubes of nylon sponge, while up to 500 U l(-1) were detected in that filled with cubes of polyurethane foam. Furthermore, quite high levels of laccase appeared in both cultures: maximum activities of 114 U l(-1) and 62 U l(-1) were obtained on nylon and polyurethane supports, respectively.