Effect of Mn(II) on reactions catalyzed by lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract
The effect of manganese on lignin peroxidase activity was studied. The enzyme was produced with a new process using an air-lift-type reactor. The experiments were performed with veratryl alcohol and a dimeric lignin model compound. It was shown that when Mn(II) · lactate complex was present the amount of veratraldehyde formed and the uptake of oxygen were significantly enhanced during the aerobic oxidation of varatryl alcohol. A similar effect can be obtained with superoxide dismutase. These results strongly suggest that the superoxide anion can occur during the reaction; its scavenging by Mn(II) or superoxide dismutase generates H2O2. In contrast, no evidence for the formation of superoxide anion was found during oxidation of the lignin model, compound veratrylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether.