Coupling Laccase production from Trametes pubescence with heavy metal removal for Economic Waste Water Treatment

Abstract The objective of this work is to evaluate simultaneously the impact of nickel and lead on the fungus Trametes pubescence growth and laccase production, and their removal efficiency by T. pubescence. Here laccase activity and production were investigated in both in vitro and in vivo fungal growth conditions at the presence of either Pb or Ni, with the results showing inhibitory effects of Pb and Ni on T. pubescence growth and laccase activity. In particular, T. pubescence was seen to be able to withstand 1000 mg L−1 of Pb and Ni, while the fungus was capable of removing 99 % of Pb and 8.6 % of Ni, respectively. Most importantly, it was found that although only live cells will secrete laccase, both live and dead fungal biomass can accumulate heavy metals in the aqueous solutions. The laccase production can thus be coupled with heavy metal removal for potential waste water treatment.