Screening of Fungal Isolates for Laccase Enzyme Production from Marine Sources.

The objective of this study discusses the isolation and identification of a new marine fungal isolates highly active laccase producer. Twenty six fungal isolates obtained from decaying wood samples collected from Port-Saied, Ras-Ghareb and Ghamasa- Egypt, were screened for the presence of laccase enzyme activity. Results obtained from both qualitative and quantitative assay showed that the marine fungal isolate Alternaria tenuissima measured the highest zone diameter and colony diameter in agar plate screening test with guaiacol and showed a final specific activity of 54.103 U/mg protein with higher laccase activity 12.065 U/ml and the protein content was 0.223 U/ml when grown in Kirk's medium with half-strength sea water. It was recommended that the marine fungal isolate Alternaria tenuissima was the most promising one for laccase enzyme production.