Analysis, Production, and Isolation of an Extracellular Laccase from Polyporus anceps.

Methods are described for the analysis, production, and isolation of laccase produced by a strain of Polyporus anceps. A simple quantitative colorimetric assay based on the oxidation of syringaldazine to syringaldazine quinone is described. Using a defined medium supplemented with the amino acids cysteine and histidine and with elevated phosphate, consistently high titers of laccase were obtained. The enzyme was isolated directly from fermentation medium by binding to diethylaminoethyl cellulose, and, once bound to the ion exchanger, it could be stored for 6 months at -70 degrees C with minimal loss of activity. The enzyme was quantitatively recovered from the resin by elution with 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.0).