Direct rate assessment of laccase catalysed radical formation in lignin by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

•Time course EPR measurement of direct radical formation by fungal laccases on genuine lignin samples.•Assessment of enzyme kinetic rates of radical formation in lignin by two fungal laccases.•Identification of different radical formation patterns by a low and high redox potential laccase.•Demonstration of different laccase rates on different types of lignin substrates.