ABSTRACT
The feasibility of laccase production by immobilization of Pleurotus ostreatus 1804 on polyurethane foam (PUF) cubes with respect to media composition was studied in both batch and reactor systems. Enhanced laccase yield was evidenced due to immobilization. A relatively high maximum laccase activity of 312.6 U was observed with immobilized mycelia in shake flasks compared to the maximum laccase activity of free mycelia (272.2 U). It is evident from this study that the culture conditions studied, i.e. biomass level, pH, substrate concentration, yeast extract concentration, Cu2+ concentration, and alcohol nature, showed significant influence on the laccase yield. Gel electrophoretic analysis showed the molecular weight of the laccase produced by immobilized P. ostreatus to be 66 kDa. The laccase yield was significantly higher and more rapid in the packed bed reactor than in the shake flask experiments. A maximum laccase yield of 392.9 U was observed within 144 h of the fermentation period with complete glucose depletion.