Development of bioprocess for the production of laccase by Pleurotus ostreatus MTCC 1802 using evolutionary optimization technique.

For cost effective production of laccase enzyme (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase) from P. ostreatus MTCC 1802 through solid sate fermentation, physico-chemical parameters such as temperature (20-35 degrees C), incubation period (9-17 days) and substrate (Neem bark and wheat bran, in various ratios, w/w) were optimized first by one parameter at time approach and then obtained optimum conditions were considered as zero level in evolutionary optimization factorial design technique. At statistically optimized conditions yield of laccase was found 303.59 + 16.8) U/gds after 13 days of incubation at 25 degrees C taking wheat bran and neem bark as substrate at a ratio of 3:2 (w/w). The results obtained could be a base line for industrial scale production of laccase.