Effect of fungal laccase and low molecular weight mediators on decolorization of direct blue dye

This study was performed to examine the role of laccase from white-rot fungi, Cerrena unicolor and Trametes versicolor, with low molecular weight mediators, acetovanillone (AV) and acetosyringone (AS), in decolorizing of the textile dye, Chicago sky blue 6B (Direct Blue 1, DB1). The tested fungi were shown the ability to remove colour from DB1. The decolorizing activity of the dye was closely related to the laccase from fungi. In the presence of AV or AS as co-substrate, decolorization was more extensive than that of the control. Moreover, at the presence of AS, the decolorization process was more effective than AV. The highly purified laccase of C. unicolor and T. versicolor also decolorized the dye. The addition of AV or AS enhanced this process.