Screening of New Mediators for Lignin Degradation Based on Their Electrochemical Properties and Interactions with Fungal Laccase

This study was performed to evaluate extensive electrochemical characteristics of 23 commercially available mediators for laccase. Electrochemical properties, interactions with laccases, and ability to degrade lignin were compared for selected mediators. Among them, NNDS has very similar electrochemical properties in terms of reversibility and redox potential (about 470 ㎷ vs. Ag/AgCl at pH=7) compared to ABTS which is a well-known mediator. Specific activity of purified laccase from Cerrena unicolor was determined by both 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1-nitroso-2-naphthol -3,6-disulfonic acid (NNDS). The specific activity of the laccase was 23.2 units/㎎ with ABTS and 21.2 units/㎎ with NNDS. The electron exchange rate for NNDS with laccase was very similar to that for ABTS, which meant that NNDS had similar mediating capability to ABTS. Determining methanol concentration after reacting with laccase compared to lignin degradation capabilities of both ABTS and NNDS. ABTS or NNDS alone cannot degrade lignin, but in the presence of laccase enhanced the rate of lignin degradation. ABTS showed better activity in the beginning, and the reaction rate of NNDS with lignin was about a half of that of ABTS at 10 minute, but the final concentration of methanol produced in 1 hour was very similar each other. The reason for similar methanol concentration for both ABTS and NNDS can be interpreted as the initial activity of ABTS was better than that of NNDS, but ABTS would be inhibited laccase activity more during the incubation.