Enhanced production of laccase from Coriolus sp. using Plackett-Burman design

Laccase production by an indigenously isolated white rot basidiomycete Coriolus sp. in solid-state fermentation was (SSF) studied. Bioprocess variables (pH, relative humidity (RH), nitrogen source (gram flour) and incubation time) were optimized in SSF using Plackett-Burman design. Laccase yield of 404.23 U/g dry substrate (U/gds) was obtained in control conditions using wheat bran as solid substrate after 10 days of studies with 80% RH at 30 °C and five agar plugs as the inoculum. Further, 6.5 fold increase in laccase activity (2661.36 U/g dry substrate) was achieved at RH 89%; gram flour 1 g/5 gds; pH 5.0 and 10 days of incubation. Statistical analysis showed RH as most significant parameter and incubation time to be least significant parameter for laccase production. Proposed mathematical model based on multiple regression was in complete agreement with experimental observation. Thus, the indigenous isolate seems to be a potential laccase producer using SSF.