The effect of copper ions on the production of laccase by the fungus Lentinus (Panus) tigrinus.

The basidiomycete Lentinus tigrinus was cultured in media containing copper ions added at different growth stages. Copper ions at increased concentrations decelerated of the fungal biomass accumulation. The later Cu2+ ions were added, the better the fungal mycelium developed, and the toxic effect of Cu2+ was less pronounced. The maximum laccase activity (47 U/ml) was observed in the presence of 1.5–2.0 mM Cu2+ added on day 4 of cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]