Laccase-mediator system in the decolorization of different types of recalcitrant dyes.

Phloroglucinol, thymol, and violuric acid (VIO) were selected as laccase mediators after screening 14 different compounds with indigo carmine (indigoid dye) as a substrate. With the presence of these three mediators, a nearly complete decolorization (90-100%) was attained in 1 h. Thus, these three compounds were used as mediators for the decolorization of other four dyes. The results indicated that VIO was effective mediator in decolorization of Remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR, anthraquinoid dye) and Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 (CBB, triphenylmethane dyes), and Acid red (diazo dye). In presence of VIO, the four dyes described above attained 70% decolorization. Thymol was able to mediate decolorization of RBBR and Azure A (heterocyclic dye). Phloroglucinol has no mediating capability in decolorization of the four dyes analyzed. Mediator concentration, pH, and copper ion have an effect on the decolorization of the RBBR. Our data suggested that the decolorization capabilities of laccase/mediator system were related to the types of mediator, the dye structure and decolorization condition.

Screening for a new Streptomyces strain capable of efficient keratin degradation.

Keratinous wastes could be degraded by some microorganisms in nature. Native human foot skin (NHFS) was used as sole nitrogen source to screen microorganisms with keratin-degrading capability. From approximately 200 strains, a strain of Streptomyces sp. strain No.16 was found to possess the strongest keratinolytic activity, and the total activity in the culture was 110 KU/ml with specific activity of 2870 KU/mg protein (KU: keratinase unit). Substrate specificity test indicated that the crude keratinase could degrade keratin azure, human hair, cock feathers and collagen. The optimal pH of the crude keratinase ranged from 7.5 to 10 and the temperature ranged from 40 degrees C to 55 degrees C. Metal chelating agent ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid obviously stimulated the keratinolytic activity but suppressed the proteolytic activity. To our knowledge, this is the first report on specific induction of keratinases by NHFS from an actinomycete. Moreover, excellent characteristics of its crude keratinase may lead to the potential application in waste treatment and recovery, poultry and leather industry, medicine, and cosmetic development.

Molecular evolution of Fome lignosus laccase by ethyl methane sulfonate-based random mutagenesis in vitro.

In order to improve the laccase activity, mutant libraries are constructed through ethyl methane sulfonate-based (EMS) random mutagenesis. Mutagenesis improved expression 3.7-fold to 144 mgl(-1) laccase in yeast, together with a 1.4-fold increase in K(cat). Thus, the total activity is enhanced 5-fold for 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiaoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). In the presence of 0.6mM copper, the highest activity value reached 30 Uml(-1) after a 3-day cultivation at a temperature of 30 degrees C(.) In comparison with the wild type, the best mutant enzymatic properties (K(m) for ABTS and guaiacol, thermo- and pH stability, optimal pH) are not changed. Moreover, amino acid sequence analysis indicates that there are four substitutions in the best mutant laccase (Gly160Asp, Ala167Thr, Gly174Asp, and Glu234Gly). The best mutant laccase model showed that the Gly160 and Ala167 are to be found near the water channel; especially the distance of Ala167 to the Cu3a is 14.46 A. This implies that it is likely involved in the formation of water channel and that it helps facilitate the easy incoming and outgoing of water.

Mass spectrometric evidence of heparin disaccharides for the catalytic characterization of a novel endolytic heparinase.

Heparinase from different sources can eliminate heparin or/and heparan sulfate into various low-molecular weight heparins with different characteristics. Porcine intestinal mucosa heparin was degraded into a series of oligosaccharides by a novel heparinase from the species Sphingobacterium. Disaccharide components from the digests were separated and purified by ultrafiltration and HPLC. Five major peaks appeared as three types according to their retention time. The mass spectrometry of peak I mainly gave the non-sulfated disaccharide with the mass of 379 Da. Peak II and III were indicated as two major monosulfated disaccharides with molecular mass of 417 and 459 Da respectively. Moreover, the peak III represented an N-acetyl disaccharide. Both peak IV and V showed the same mass of 496 Da, hinting that they were disulfate-substituted disaccharides. No trisulfate-substituted disaccharides were detected in the mixture of the heparin digest though they were abundant in the heparin structure. The results revealed that the heparinase might specifically cut the sites with low sulfated domain in heparin.