Fungi from Extreme Environments: A Potential Source of Laccases Group of Extremozymes

Laccases are a group of enzymes consisting of phenol oxidase, phenol peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and tyrosinase. These are non-specific in nature and play an important role in fungal pathogenicity and degradation of the lingocellulosic materials. Laccases are used in pulp and paper industries for enzymatic pulp making processes and in waste management by degradation of phenol compounds present in wastewater. In contrast to other groups laccases from mesophilic fungi especially the wood-rotting fungi have been extensively studied. Some fungi also occupy many natural and man-made extreme environments such as hot springs, cold temperature desserts, soda lakes, rocks, dump sites, etc. and are known as extremophiles. Although enzymes from extreme temperature habitats (cold and hot) have been widely studied and even applied in various industries data on laccase production from extreme environment is understudied. This chapter discusses the distribution of laccase-producing fungi in various extremophilic environments and their ecological roles in various ecosystems and potential industrial applications.