Abstract

• The present work focuses on screening, isolation, and partial characterization of the extracellular laccases from mushroom Trametes versicolor. Laccase-producing fungi were screened and isolated from the selected samples on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) medium. Laccase-producing fungi were detected by qualitative examination with guaiacol and tannic acid. The isolated fungal strain was identified by Lactophenol cotton blue dye method and microscopic examination. Laccase producing fungal strain was cultured under solid state fermentation using banana skin as support-substrate. The highest laccase activity was found on 12 days of incubation. Laccase was partially purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation (20 % and 70 %) and its activity was monitored by guaiacol assay method. Laccase was purified 6.4 fold over crude extract. The optimum pH and optimum temperature of fungal laccase was 5 and 40 oC, respectively.