US Patent 7135184 Culture having phenol oxidase-like activity

It is intended to provide means of efficiently, economically and conveniently dyeing fibers or hair, bleaching pulp or fibers, removing phenol compounds from liquid wastes, degrading endocrine disruptors, producing phenolic resins, producing artificial lacquer coatings, improving wood qualities, etc. A culture of a strain belonging to the genus Flammulina; a culture originating in the above strain which is obtained by culturing the strain at a pH value exceeding 7 and has a phenol oxidase-like activity; a process for producing the culture; a dyeing method which comprises contacting a subject to be dyed with a dye in the presence of the above culture; and a dyeing composition containing the above culture.