Decolorization of rhodamine B and congo red by partial purified laccase from Lentinus polychrous Lév.

This study reports decolorization of Rhodamine B and Congo redby a partially purified laccase from Lentinus polychrous Lév. in thepresence or absence of 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS) as a redox mediator. Thedecolorization study showed that about 90% of Rhodamine B couldbe decolorized within 52 h, whereas Congo red could bedecolorized more than 75% within 3 h. The most effectiveconcentration of the redox mediator was 0.10 mM ABTS. Theoptimum pH for Rhodamine B decolorization was at pH 4.0-5.0and optimum temperature was at 50 oC. The optimum pH forCongo red decolorization was at pH 6.0-7.0, but increasingtemperature had less of an effect. The results and availability of thefungus indicated that laccase from L. polychrous Lév. has highpotential for the treatment of waste dyes.