Decolorization of reactive dyes by laccase immobilized in alginate/gelatin blent with PEG

Enzymatic degradation of tetracycline by Trametes versicolor laccase in a fluidized bed reactor

Laccase from Trametes Versicolor was successfully immobilized on gelatin beads by a crosslinking reaction with glutaraldehyde. Immobilized laccases showed better stability towards pH and temperature than free laccases. Moreover, the immobilized laccases retained a good relative activity of 85 % after 20 days of storage at 4 °C. The degradation of tetracycline (TC) was studied with immobilized enzymes in both batch and fluidized bed reactors (FBR). The average degradation rate (1.59 mg h-1 Uenzymes-1) estimated over 24 h in the FBR was almost 5 times higher than in the stirred tank reactor. Maximum degradation rate achieved was 72 ± 1 % with a circulation flow rate of 80 mL min-1 and addition of air at a flowrate of 15 mL min-1. Study of the stability of the active beads under reaction conditions, shows that 45 % of the TC was degraded after 5 cycles of 24 h each. The toxicity of the TC solution before and after treatment was also investigated with microtox assays.

Enzymes Immobilized into Starch- and Gelatin-Based Hydrogels: Properties and Application in Inhibition Assay

The present work is a review of the research on using hydrogels based on natural biodegradable polymers, starch, and gelatin for enzyme immobilization. This review addresses the main properties of starch and gelatin that make them promising materials in biotechnology for producing enzyme preparations stable during use and storage and insensitive to chemical and physical impacts. The authors summarize their achievements in developing the preparations of enzymes immobilized in starch and gelatin gels and assess their activity, stability, and sensitivity for use as biorecognition elements of enzyme inhibition-based biosensors.

Applications and immobilization strategies of the copper-centred laccase enzyme; a review

Laccase is a multi-copper enzyme widely expressed in fungi, higher plants, and bacteria which facilitates the direct reduction of molecular oxygen to water (without hydrogen peroxide production) accompanied by the oxidation of an electron donor. Laccase has attracted attention in biotechnological applications due to its non-specificity and use of molecular oxygen as secondary substrate. This review discusses different applications of laccase in various sectors of food, paper and pulp, waste water treatment, pharmaceuticals, sensors, and fuel cells. Despite the many advantages of laccase, challenges such as high cost due to its non-reusability, instability in harsh environmental conditions, and proteolysis are often encountered in its application. One of the approaches used to minimize these challenges is immobilization. The various methods used to immobilize laccase and the different supports used are further extensively discussed in this review.

Catalytic roles, immobilization and management of recalcitrant environmental pollutants by laccases: Significance in sustainable green chemistry

We are facing a high risk of exposure to emerging contaminants and increasing environmental pollution with the concomitant growth of industries. Persistence of these pollutants is a major concern to the ecosystem. Laccases, also known as "green catalysts" are multi-copper oxidases which offers an eco-friendly solution for the degradation of these hazardous pollutants to less or non-toxic compounds. Although various other biological methods exist for the treatment of pollutants, the fact that laccases catalyze the oxidation of broad range of substrates in the presence of molecular oxygen without any additional cofactor and releases water as the by-product makes them exceptional. They have a good possibility of utilization in various industries, especially for the purpose of bioremediation. Besides this, they have also been used in medical/health care, food industry, bio-bleaching, wine stabilization, organic synthesis and biosensors. This review covers the catalytic behaviour of laccases, their immobilization strategies, potential applications in bioremediation of recalcitrant environmental pollutants and their engineering. It provides a comprehensive summary of most factors to consider while working with laccases in an industrial setting. It compares the benefits and drawbacks of the current techniques. Immobilization and mediators, two of the most significant aspects in working with laccases, have been meticulously discussed.

Laccase bound to cryogel functionalized with phenylalanine for the decolorization of textile dyes

In this study, amino acid functionalized poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacrylolyl-l-phenylalanine) [PHEMAPA] cryogel discs were prepared. In this respect, phenylalanine containing N-methacryloyl-(L)-phenylalanine methyl ester (MAPA) was polymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) without requirement of any activation step. Laccase bound poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-l-phenylalanine) [Lac-PHEMAPA] cryogel discs were applied for decolorization of Reactive Blue-247 (RB-247). The ability of Lac-PHEMAPA cryogel discs on dye decolorization was found to be as 90% in 2 h and even more within 4h. The decolorization activities of 86% and 73% were observed at relatively low (4°C) and high (60°C) temperatures, respectively. The effect of dye concentration on dye decolorization and 100% decolorization activity was achieved in dye concentration between 50-300 ppm. Lac-PHEMAPA cryogel discs maintained 80% of its decolorization activity after six cycles. Consequently, the PHEMAPA cryogel discs are promising materials for immobilizing laccase. The Lac-PHEMAPA has a rapid dye decolorization in a broad range of temperature. The preparation is furthermore very stable and activity is preserved during storage.

Modeling and experimental validation of covalent immobilization of Trametes maxima laccase on glyoxyl and MANA-Sepharose CL 4B supports, for the use in bioconversion of residual colorants

Our novel strategy for the rational design of immobilized derivatives (RDID) is directed to predict the behavior of the protein immobilized derivative before its synthesis, by the usage of mathematic algorithms and bioinformatics tools. However, this approach needs to be validated for each target enzyme. The objective of this work was to validate the RDID strategy for covalent immobilization of the enzyme laccase from Trametes maxima MUCL 44155 on glyoxyl- and monoaminoethyl-N-aminoethyl (MANA)-Sepharose CL 4B supports. Protein surface clusters, more probable configurations of the protein-supports systems at immobilization pHs, immobilized enzyme activity, and protein load were predicted by RDID_1.0 software. Afterward, immobilization was performed and predictions were experimentally confirmed. As a result, the laccase-MANA-Sepharose CL 4B immobilized derivative is better than laccase-glyoxyl-Sepharose CL 4B in predicted immobilized derivative activity (63.6% vs. 29.5%). Activity prediction was confirmed by an experimentally expressed enzymatic activity of 68%, using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as substrate. Experimental maximum protein load matches the estimated value (11.2 ± 1.3 vs. 12.1 protein mg/support mL). The laccase-MANA-Sepharose CL 4B biocatalyst has a high specificity for the acid blue 62 colorant. The results obtained in this work suggest the possibility of using this biocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Co-immobilized spore laccase/TiO2 nanoparticles in the alginate beads enhance dye removal by two-step decolorization

Combinatorial application of different dye removal methods with specific features can lead to a novel and robust decolorizing system. In this study the bacterial spore laccase and TiO₂ nanoparticles were co-entrapped to enhance dye degradation. The optimum entrapment conditions were achieved in the presence of alginate 2% (w/v) and Ca²⁺ (0.2M), Cu²⁺ (0.05M) and Zn²⁺ (0.25M) as matric polymer and counterions, respectively. Immobilized laccase showed a wide range of pH and temperature stability in comparison to the free spores. The entrapped degradation systems include single laccase, single TiO₂, laccase + TiO₂ (one-step remediation), TiO₂/laccase (two-step remediation), and laccase/TiO₂ (two-step remediation) that result to the 22%, 26% 45.6%, 47.6%, and 69.3% indigo carmine decolorization in 60 min. In the kinetic studies, the half-life of indigo carmine (25 mg/l) in the remediation processes containing laccase, TiO₂, laccase + TiO₂, TiO₂/laccase, and laccase/TiO₂ was calculated as 173, 138, 161, 115, and 57 min, respectively. The degradation products by co-entrapped system were not toxic against Sorghum vulgare. The results showed two-step decolorization by co-entrapped spore laccase and TiO₂ nanoparticles, including the pretreatment of dye by laccase, and then, treatment by TiO₂ has potential for degradation of indigo carmine.

Tree bark scrape fungus: A potential source of laccase for application in bioremediation of non-textile dyes

Although laccase has been recognized as a wonder molecule and green enzyme, the use of low yielding fungal strains, poor production, purification, and low enzyme kinetics have hampered its large-scale application. Thus,this study aims to select high yielding fungal strains and optimize the production, purification, and kinetics of laccase of Aspergillus sp. HB_RZ4. The results obtained indicated that Aspergillus sp. HB_RZ4 produced a significantly large amount of laccase under meso-acidophilic shaking conditions in a medium containing glucose and yeast extract. A 25 μM CuSO4 was observed to enhance the enzyme yield. The enzyme was best purified on a Sephadex G-100 column. The purified enzyme resembled laccase of A. flavus. The kinetics of the purified enzyme revealed high substrate specificity and good velocity of reaction,using ABTS as a substrate. The enzyme was observed to be stable over various pH values and temperatures. The peptide structure of the purified enzyme was found to resemble laccase of A. kawachii IFO 4308. The fungus was observed to decolorize various dyes independent of the requirement of a laccase mediator system.Aspergillus sp. HB_RZ4 was observed to be a potent natural producer of laccase, and it decolorized the dyes even in the absence of a laccase mediator system. Thus, it can be used for bioremediation of effluent that contains non-textile dyes.

Hazardous contaminants in the environment and their laccase-assisted degradation - A review

In recent years, owing to the serious ecological risks and human health-related adverse effects, the wide occurrence of hazardous contaminants along with their potential to enter the environment have gained great public concerns. In this context, significant actions are urgently required to tackle the ignorance and inefficient monitoring/removal of emerging/(re)-emerging contaminants (ECs) in the environment from different routes of concerns, i.e., industrial waste, pharmaceutical, personal care products (PCPs), toxic effluents, etc. Laccases are multinuclear copper-containing oxidoreductases and can carry out one electron oxidation of a broad spectrum of environmentally related contaminants. In biotechnology, this group of versatile enzymes is known as a green catalyst/green tool with enormous potentialities to tackle ECs of high concern. In this review, we endeavored to present up-to-date literature concerning the potential use of immobilized laccases for the degradation and remediation of various types of environmental pollutants present in the environment. Both, pristine and immobilized, laccases have shown great capacity to oxidative degradation and mineralization of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDs) in batch treatment processes as well as in large-scale continuous reactors. These properties make laccase as particularly attractive biocatalysts in environmental remediation processes, and their use might be advantageous over the conventional treatments. This review summarizes the most significant recent advances in the use of laccases and their future perspectives in environmental biotechnology.

Removal of acetaminophen in water by laccase immobilized in barium alginate

This research has focused on the optimization of immobilized laccase condition and utilization in degradation of acetaminophen contaminated in aqueous solution. Laccase from Lentinus polychrous was immobilized in barium alginate. The effects of laccase immobilization such as sodium alginate concentration, barium chloride concentration and gelation time were studied. The optimal conditions for immobilization were sodium alginate 5% (w/v), barium chloride 5% (w/v) and gelation time of 60 min. Immobilized laccase was then used for acetaminophen removal. Acetaminophen was removed quickly in the first 50 min. The degradation rate and percentage of removal increased when the enzyme concentration increased. Immobilized laccase at 0.57 U/g-alginate showed the maximum removal at 94% in 240 min. The removal efficiency decreased with increasing initial acetaminophen concentration. The K_m value for immobilized laccase (98.86 µM) was lower than that of free laccase (203.56 µM), indicating that substrate affinity was probably enhanced by immobilization. The immobilized enzyme exhibited high activity and good acetaminophen removal at pH 7 and temperature of 35°C. The activation energies of free and immobilized laccase for degradation of acetaminophen were 8.08 and 17.70 kJ/mol, respectively. It was also found that laccase stability to pH and temperature increased after immobilization. Furthermore, immobilized laccase could be reused for five cycles. The capability of removal and enzyme activity were retained above 70%.

Tailor-made biocatalysts based on scarcely studied acidic horseradish peroxidase for biodegradation of reactive dyes

Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) have enormous biotechnological applications. Usage of more abundant, basic isoforms of peroxidases in diagnostic kits and/or in immunochemistry has led to under exploitation and disregard of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) acidic isoforms. Therefore, acidic horseradish peroxidase (HRP-A) isoenzyme was used for the preparation of a biocatalyst with improved ability in dye decolorization. Ten biocatalysts were prepared by covalent binding of enzyme to chitosan and alginate, adsorption followed by cross-linking on inorganic support (aluminum oxide), and encapsulation in spherical calcium alginate beads via polyethylene glycol. Model dyes of 50 to 175 mg l^-1 were removed by the biocatalysts. Among the tested biocatalysts, the three with the highest specific activity and biodegradation rate were further studied (Chitosan-HRP, Al-Gel-HRP and Al-HRP-Gel). The impact of hydrogen peroxide concentration on dye decolorization was examined on the Chitosan-HRP biocatalyst, since the HRP is susceptible to inhibition/inactivation by high H₂O₂. On the other hand, H₂O₂ is needed as a co-substrate for the HRP, and the H₂O₂/dye ratio can greatly influence decolorization efficiency. Concentrations of H₂O₂ ranging from 0.22 to 4.4 mM showed no difference in terms of impact on the biocatalyst decolorization efficiency. The high decolorization efficiency of the biocatalysts was validated by the removal of 25 and 100 mg l^-1 anthraquinone (Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)), triphenylmethane (Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB)), acridine (Acridine Orange (AO)), and formazan metal complex dye (Reactive Blue 52 (RB52)). After the seven consecutive decolorization cycles, the decolorization was still 53, 78, and 67% of the initial dye for the Al-HRP-Gel, Al-Gel-HRP, and Chitosan-HRP immobilizate, respectively. The results obtained showed potential of otherwise neglected acidic HRP isoforms as a cost-effective biocatalyst with significant potential in wastewater dyestuff treatment.

Immobilized laccase mediated dye decolorization and transformation pathway of azo dye acid red 27

BACKGROUND

Laccases have good potential as bioremediating agents and can be used continuously in the immobilized form like many other enzymes.

METHODS

In the present study, laccase from Cyathus bulleri was immobilized by entrapment in Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) beads cross-linked with either nitrate or boric acid. Immobilized laccase was used for dye decolorization in both batch and continuous mode employing a packed bed column. The products of degradation of dye Acid Red 27 were identified by LC MS/MS analysis.

RESULTS

The method led to very effective (90%) laccase immobilization and also imparted significant stability to the enzyme (more than 70% after 5 months of storage at 4°C). In batch decolorization, 90-95% decolorization was achieved of the simulated dye effluent for up to 10-20 cycles. Continuous decolorization in a packed bed bioreactor led to nearly 90% decolorization for up to 5 days. The immobilized laccase was also effective in decolorization and degradation of Acid Red 27 in the presence of a mediator. Four products of degradation were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The immobilized laccase in PVA-nitrate was concluded to be an effective agent in treatment of textile dye effluents.

Reversible covalent immobilization of Trametes villosa laccase onto thiolsulfinate-agarose: An insoluble biocatalyst with potential for decoloring recalcitrant dyes

The development of a solid-phase biocatalyst based on the reversible covalent immobilization of laccase onto thiol-reactive supports (thiolsulfinate-agarose [TSI-agarose]) was performed. To achieve this goal, laccase-producing strains isolated from Eucalyptus globulus were screened and white rot fungus Trametes villosa was selected as the best strain for enzyme production. Reduction of disulfide bonds and introduction of "de novo" thiol groups in partially purified laccase were assessed to perform its reversible covalent immobilization onto thiol-reactive supports (TSI-agarose). Only the thiolation process dramatically improved the immobilization yield, from 0% for the native and reduced enzyme to 60% for the thiolated enzyme. Mild conditions for the immobilization process (pH 7.5 and 4°C) allowed the achievement of nearly 100% of coupling efficiency when low loads were applied. The kinetic parameters, pH, and thermal stabilities for the immobilized biocatalyst were similar to those for the native enzyme. After the first use and three consecutives reuses, the insoluble derivative kept more than 80% of its initial capacity for decolorizing Remazol Brilliant Blue R, showing its suitability for color removal from textile industrial effluents. The possibility of reusing the support was demonstrated by the reversibility of enzyme-support binding.

Immobilization of a Pleurotus ostreatus laccase mixture on perlite and its application to dye decolourisation

In the present study, a crude laccase preparation from Pleurotus ostreatus was successfully immobilized on perlite, a cheap porous silica material, and tested for Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) decolourisation in a fluidized bed recycle reactor. Results showed that RBBR decolourisation is mainly due to enzyme action despite the occurrence of dye adsorption-related enzyme inhibition. Fine tuning of immobilization conditions allowed balancing the immobilization yield and the resulting rate of decolourisation, with the adsorption capacity of the solid biocatalyst. In the continuous lab scale reactor, a maximum conversion degree of 56.1% was achieved at reactor space-time of 4.2 h. Stability and catalytic parameters of the immobilized laccases were also assessed in comparison with the soluble counterparts, revealing an increase in stability, despite a reduction of the catalytic performances. Both effects are most likely ascribable to the occurrence of multipoint attachment phenomena.

The enzymatic decolorization of textile dyes by the immobilized polyphenol oxidase from quince leaves

Water pollution due to release of industrial wastewater has already become a serious problem in almost every industry using dyes to color its products. In this work, polyphenol oxidase enzyme from quince (Cydonia Oblonga) leaves immobilized on calcium alginate beads was used for the successful and effective decolorization of textile industrial effluent. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme was extracted from quince (Cydonia Oblonga) leaves and immobilized on calcium alginate beads. The kinetic properties of free and immobilized PPO were determined. Quince leaf PPO enzyme stability was increased after immobilization. The immobilized and free enzymes were employed for the decolorization of textile dyes. The dye solutions were prepared in the concentration of 100 mg/L in distilled water and incubated with free and immobilized quince (Cydonia Oblonga) leaf PPO for one hour. The percent decolorization was calculated by taking untreated dye solution. Immobilized PPO was significantly more effective in decolorizing the dyes as compared to free enzyme. Our results showed that the immobilized quince leaf PPO enzyme could be efficiently used for the removal of synthetic dyes from industrial effluents.

Decolorization of two synthetic dyes using the purified laccase of Paraconiothyrium variabile immobilized on porous silica beads

BACKGROUND

Decolorization of hazardous synthetic dyes using laccases in both free and immobilized form has gained attention during the last decades. The present study was designed to prepare immobilized laccase (purified from Paraconiothyrium variabile) on porous silica beads followed by evaluation of both free and immobilized laccases for decolorization of two synthetic dyes of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7. Effects of laccase concentration, pH and temperature alteration, and presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) as laccase mediator on decolorization pattern were also studied. In addition, the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of the free and immobilized laccases for each synthetic dye were calculated.

RESULTS

Immobilized laccase represented higher temperature and pH stability compare to free one. 39% and 35% of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7 was decolorized, respectively after 65 min incubation in presence of the free laccase. In the case of immobilized laccase decolorization percent was found to be 76% and 64% for Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7, respectively at the same time. Increasing of laccase activity enhanced decolorization percent using free and immobilized laccases. Relative decolorization of both applied dyes was increased after treatment by laccase-HBT system. After nine cycles of decolorization by immobilized laccase, 26% and 31% of relative activity were lost in the case of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, the present investigation introduced the immobilized laccase of P. variabile on porous beads as an efficient biocatalyst for decolorization of synthetic dyes.

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol with laccase immobilized on nano-porous silica beads

Many organic hazardous pollutants, including 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP), which are water soluble, toxic, and not easily biodegradable make concerns for environmental pollution worldwide. In the present study, degradation of nitrophenols-contained effluents by using laccase immobilized on the nano-porous silica beads was evaluated. 2,4-DNP was selected as the main constituent of industrial effluents containing nitrophenols. The performance of the system was characterized as a function of pH, contact time, temperature, pollutant, and mediator concentrations. The laccase-silica beads were employed in a mixed-batch reactor to determine the degradation efficiency after 12 h of enzyme treatment. The obtained data showed that the immobilized laccase degraded more than 90% of 2,4-DNP within 12 h treatment. The immobilization process improved the activity and sustainability of laccase for degradation of the pollutant. Temperatures more than 50°C reduced the enzyme activity to about 60%. However, pH and the mediator concentration could not affect the enzyme activity. The degradation kinetic was in accordance with a Michaelis-Menten equation with Vmax and Km obtained as 0.25-0.38 μmoles/min and 0.13-0.017 mM, respectively. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was maintained for more than 85% of its initial activity after 30 days. Based on the results, it can be concluded that high resistibility and reusability of immobilized laccase on CPC-silica beads make it considerable choice for wastewater treatment.

Preparation of Laccase Immobilized Cryogels and Usage for Decolorization

Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (poly(MMA-co-GMA)) cryogels were synthesized by radical cryopolymerization technique. Then, laccase enzyme was covalently attached to the cryogel and characterized by using swelling studies and SEM and EDX analyses. Kinetic properties and optimum conditions of the immobilized and free laccase were studied and it was found that of the immobilized laccase was lower than that of free laccase. of the immobilized laccase was increased upon immobilization. Optimum pH was found to be 4.0 for each type of laccase, while optimum temperature was shifted to the warmer region after the immobilization. It was also found that thermal stability of the immobilized laccase was higher than that of free laccase. Immobilized laccase could be used for 10 times successive reuse with no significant decrease in its activity. Also, these laccase immobilized cryogels were successfully used for the decolorization of seven different dyes.

Enhanced adsorption of Methylene Blue from aqueous solution by chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/vermiculite hydrogel composites

A series of chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/vermiculite hydrogel composites were synthesized and used as adsorbents for the investigation of the effect of process parameters such as vermiculite content, pH of dye solution, contact time, initial concentration of dye solution, temperature, ionic strength and concentration of surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate on the removal of Methylene Blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The results showed that the adsorption capacity for dye increased with increasing pH, contact time and initial dye concentration, but decreased with increasing temperature, ionic strength and sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration in the present of the surfactant. The adsorption kinetics of MB onto the hydrogel composite followed pseudo second-order kinetics and the adsorption equilibrium data obeyed Langmuir isotherm. By introducing 10 wt.% vermiculite into chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid) polymeric network, the obtaining hydrogel composite showed the highest adsorption capacity for MB, and then could be regarded as a potential adsorbent for cationic dye removal in a wastewater treatment process.