Laccase from Coriolopsis gallica UAMH8260 was immobilized on activated agar
ose and tested for repeated decolorization of industrial dyes. Immobilized
enzyme retained 85% of the initial activity after 10 cycles, and 70% after
3 months of intermittant use in the decolorization of Reactive Blue 198 dye
. Free laccase decolorized 13 of 38 industrial dyes tested but, in the pres
ence of 1 mM 1-hydroxybenzotriazole as a free radical mediator, the enzyme
decolorized 26 of the 38 dyes increasing both the range and rate of decolor
ization. Immobilized laccase showed a higher thermal stability at 70 degree
s C than free enzyme but no increased resistance to organic solvents.