Laccase Production by Phellinus noxius hpF17: Optimization of Submerged Culture Conditions by Response Surface Methodology

In the present study, a laccase producing fungus, Phellinus noxius hpF17 was isolated and studied for its laccase production in submerged culture conditions. The fungus showed laccase activity of 545.50±6.7U/l in the defined liquid medium. Initial screening of production parameters was performed using Plackett–Burman design and the variables with statistically significant effects on laccase production were identified. Variables such as glucose, ammonium tartarate and tween 80 were found to influence the laccase production significantly. These variables were selected for further optimization using Response Surface Methodology. Optimum values of tested variables for maximum laccase production are glucose (20g/l), ammonium tartarate (2.25g/l) and tween 80 (2.08ml/l). By using this optimal fermentation medium, the laccase yield was increased up to 780U/l, an approximate 1.4 fold improvement as compared to the previous yield with un-optimized medium