Fungi-powered laccase enzyme could revolutionize eco-friendly textile dyeing and wastewater treatment.
Fungi were used to make a special enzyme called laccase that can break down various substances. The researchers isolated and purified this enzyme from a specific fungus found in agro by-products. They found the best conditions for making this enzyme were using Bengal gram, letting it grow for 7 days at 25°C and pH 6, and adding a small amount of the fungus at the start. The purified enzyme had high activity and worked best at pH 5 and 45°C. It can break down dyes like Congo red and Rhodamine B, with 63.866% and 19.009% decolorization respectively. This enzyme could help clean up pollution in the environment generated by these dyes.