Purification and partial characterisation of a 60 KDa laccase from Fomitiporia mediterranea

Abstract

A 60-kDa extra-cellular laccase enzyme was purified to homogeneity from a liquid culture of Fomitiporia mediterranea, the main wood rot agent of the grapevine disease esca. The enzyme exhibited thermal stability. Substrate specificity and inhibitor studies indicated that the enzyme was a typical fungal laccase. Several natural phenolic and polyphenolic compounds were oxidised by the isolated laccase.