Ligninolytic enzymes, such as laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase, are biotechnologically-important enzymes. The ability of five white-rot fungal strains Daedaleopsis confragosa, Fomes fomentarius, Trametes gibbosa, Trametes suaveolens and Trametes versicolor to produce these enzymes has been studied. Three different copper(II) complexes have been prepared ((Him)[Cu(im)₄(H₂O)₂](btc)·3H₂O, where im = imidazole, H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, [Cu₃(pmdien)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃·6H₂O) and [Cu₃(mdpta)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃·4H₂O, where pmdien = N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyl-diethylenetriamine and mdpta = N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)methyl- amine), and their potential application for laccase and peroxidases induction have been tested. The enzyme-inducing activities of the complexes were compared with that of copper sulfate, and it has been found that all of the complexes are suitable for the induction of laccase and peroxidase activities in white-rot fungi; however, the newly-synthesized complex M1 showed the greatest potential for the induction. With respect to the different copper inducers, this parameter seems to be important for enzyme activity, which depends also on the fungal strains.
Keywords: copper complex; enzymatic induction; laccase; peroxidase; trimesic acid.