| Abstract: | Two fractions obtained after chromatography of lignosulphonates on Sephadex G-50, varying in Mrs, were treated with extracellular Trametes versicolor laccase. After incubation of the low Mr fraction, polymerization was observed, while in the case of the high Mr fraction the reverse process occurred. As a result of depolymerization, five new lower Mr fractions appeared. The reaction reached peak level after 2 hr of incubation and then the quantities of the products diminished, possibly due to their repolymerization. These studies indicate that laccase possesses both polymerization and depolymerization activity though the former was predominant. |
