Degradation of acenaphthylene and anthracene by chemically modified laccase from Trametes versicolor

Abstract

We are studying the chemically modified laccase from Trametes versicolor for use in the in vitro oxidation of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), acenaphthylene and anthracene, in combination with 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) as a redox mediator. The results indicate that the maleic anhydride modified laccase (MA-Lac) improved the stability of laccase to temperature, pH and storage time compared with the free enzyme. After incubation for 72 h, the MA-Lac–ABTS system oxidized acenaphthylene and anthracene to more than 70% from the reaction mixture.