AbstractBlack liquors from a soda pulping mill were treated with the white‐rot fungus Trametes versicolor to detoxify and reduce colour, aromatic compounds and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The fungus was used in the form of pellets in aerated reactors (fluidized, stirred and air‐pulsed reactors). Reductions in colour and aromatic compounds of 70–80% and in COD of 60% were achieved. During the different experiments, laccase activity was detected but neither lignin peroxidase (LiP) nor manganese peroxidase activities were detected, although T versicolor is able to produce these enzymes. Experiments also showed a LiP activity inhibitory effect produced by lignin. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between laccase production and toxicity reduction. This correlation responds to the equation Laccase production = 1.57 LN (toxicity reduction) −16.40. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry