Fungus-derived enzyme could revolutionize eco-friendly textile dye removal.
A new yellow laccase enzyme was isolated from a fungus called Trametes sp. F1635. Scientists purified this enzyme using various methods and found it could break down dyes effectively, like malachite green and eriochrome black T. The laccase worked well at an acidic pH of 2.6 and at a temperature of 50°C. It also had specific properties for breaking down a dye called ABTS. The enzyme showed potential for cleaning up water by removing dyes from it. By using certain mediators like violuric acid and acetosyringone, the enzyme was even more efficient at dye removal. This study suggests that this newly discovered enzyme could be helpful in treating water contaminated with dyes.