Morphology engineering of basidiomycetes for improved laccase biosynthesis

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Enzyme Production
• Mycology

Background:

• Laccase is a crucial enzyme in various industrial applications.
• Optimizing laccase production in submerged fungal cultures is essential for efficient industrial use.
• Morphological engineering offers novel strategies for enhancing enzyme yields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) for improving laccase production.
• To assess the impact of MPEC on submerged cultures of the basidiomycetes Cerrena unicolor and Pleurotus sapidus.
• To explore the relationship between microparticle-induced morphological changes and enzyme activity.

Main Methods:

• Application of 10 μm Al2O3 microparticles in submerged cultures of C. unicolor and P. sapidus.
• Cultivation was performed at varying microparticle concentrations (5–30 g Al2O3 l⁻¹).
• Laccase activity was measured, and fungal morphology (pellet size, shape, structure) was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) significantly increased laccase activity: 3.5-fold for C. unicolor and 2-fold for P. sapidus at 15 g Al2O3 l⁻¹.
• Al2O3 microparticles induced changes in hyphal agglomeration, leading to smaller, star-shaped pellets in C. unicolor and more compact pellets in P. sapidus.
• Optimal microparticle concentration for enhanced laccase production was identified at 15 g Al2O3 l⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• Microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) is a successful strategy for enhancing laccase production in submerged cultures of basidiomycetes.
• The observed increase in laccase activity is attributed to microparticle-mediated alterations in fungal morphology.
• MPEC offers a promising approach for optimizing enzyme yields in industrial biotechnology.