A Dye Based Assay for Lignin and Manganese Peroxidases of Phanerochaete chrysosporium RP-78

Azodyes are important chemical pollutants of industrial origin. The decolourisation and degradation efficiency of Phanerochaete chrysosporium RP-78 with the reactive azodye Procion Yellow H-E4 (Reactive yellow 84), was studied. A new assay of lignin and manganese peroxidases that are involved in dye degradation based on the oxidation of micromolar concentrations of the dye Reactive yellow 84 and phenol red is presented. Although it is as simple and rapid as the veratryl alcohol assay, it appears to overcome some of the shortcomings of that assay. In particular, interference from UV- and short-wavelength visible-light-absorbing materials is greatly reduced and assay specificity is improved. Finally it was identified that the inducer (Veratryl alcohol) and inhibitor (Thiourea) of lignin degradation also affect the dye degradation effectively.