ABSTRACT
Laccase isoforms from basidiomycetes exhibit a superior redox potential compared to commercially available laccases obtained from ascomycete fungi, rendering them more reactive toward mono-substituted phenols and polyphenolic compounds. However, basidiomycetes present limitations for large-scale culture in liquid media, restraining the current availability of laccases from this fungal class. To advance laccase production from basidiomycetes, a newly designed 14-L low-shear aerated and agitated bioreactor provided enzyme titers up to 23.5 IU/mL from Trametes versicolor cultures. Produced enzymes underwent ultrafiltration and LC/MS-MS characterization, revealing the predominant production of only two out of the ten laccases predicted in the T. versicolor genome. Process simulation and economic analysis using SuperPro designer® suggested that T. versicolor laccase could be produced at US$ 3.60/kIU in a 200-L/batch enterprise with attractive economic parameters and a payback period of 1.7 years. The study indicates that new bioreactors with plain design help to produce low-cost enzymes from basidiomycetes.
