Abstract
Statistical designs were applied for optimizing laccase production from a white-rot fungus, Ganoderma sp. rckk-02 under solid-state fermentation (SSF). Compared to unoptimized conditions [2,154 U/gds (Unit per gram of dry substrate)], the optimization process resulted in a 17.3-fold increase in laccase production (37,423 U/gds). The laccase produced was evaluated for its potential to decolorize a recalcitrant synthetic dye, malachite green. Laccase at dosage of 30 U/ml in presence of 1 mM of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) almost completely decolorized 100 and 200 mg/l of malachite green in 16 and 20 h, respectively, at 30 °C, pH 5.5 and 150 rpm. While, higher dyes concentrations of 300, 400 and 500 mg/l were decolorized to 72, 62 and 55 % in 24, 28 and 32 h, respectively, under similar conditions. Furthermore, it was observed that the decolorized malachite green was less toxic towards the growth of five white-rot fungi tested viz. Crinipellis sp. RCK-1, Ganoderma sp. rckk-02, Coriolopsis Caperata RCK 2011, Phanerochaete chrysosporium K3 and Pycnoporous cinnabarinus PB. The present study demonstrates the potential of Ganoderma sp. rckk-02 to produce high titres of laccase under SSF, which can be exploited in conjunction with redox mediator for the decolorization of high concentrations of malachite green from water bodies.