Laccase from an alkalitolerant basidiomycetes Crinipellis sp. RCK-1: production optimization by response surface...

A newly isolated alkalitolerant basidiomycetous fungus, identified as Crinipellis sp. RCK-1 was observed to produce laccase. The effect of different physicochemical factors on laccase production was studied. The identification of the important factors (initial pH of the medium, copper and tryptophan) with simple screening experiment involving optimization using single factor at a time strategy, was followed by application of complex response surface design for further maximizing the laccase production and was helpful in defining the effects and interactions of the physiological and nutritional factors. The statistical optimization by response surface methodology resulted in a 27.0-fold (619.9 U ml(-1)) increase in the production of laccase from Crinipellis sp. RCK-1 when compared to laccase production in unoptimized medium (23.0 U ml(-1)). The results from the response surface curve suggested that there was interaction between tryptophan and copper in a way that might resulted in positive effect on laccase production from Crinipellis sp. RCK-1. The relatively higher laccase production by Crinipellis sp. RCK-1 showed promise of offering great potential in various biotechnological applications.