PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMOSTABLE LIGNOLYTIC ENZYMES PRODUCED FROM Staphylococcus saprophyticus EXPOSED TO LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)

Enzymatic degradation has been revealed as an effective method of eradicating polyethylene pollution and different studies have opined lignolytic enzymes to be involved in the process of low-density polyethylene biodegradation. This study focused on screening and characterization of manganese peroxidase and laccase produced by Staphylococcus saprophyticus exposed to low- density polyethylene. The result showed that Staphylococcus saprophyticus produced optimum manganese peroxidase and laccase activities on the third and second days. A study of the physicochemical properties of manganese peroxidase and laccase revealed that their activities were optimum and stable at acidic pH (pH 3 and pH 3 respectively). Manganese peroxidase had optimum temperature activity at 50 oC and was stable at 60°C while laccase was active at 70°C and most stable at 80°C. Staphylococcus saprophyticus produced thermostable acidophile lignolytic enzymes, therefore it can be used for polyethylene biodegradation.