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Sequential reactors for the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals by laccase immobilized onto fumed silica microparticles

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journal contribution
posted on 2017-04-23, 15:30 authored by M. Gamallo, Y. Moldes-Diz, G. Eibes, G. Feijoo, J. M. Lema, M. T. Moreira

The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the capability of laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila immobilized on fumed silica microparticles (fsMP) for the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in two enzymatic reactor configurations. This type of support can also be magnetized to allow the straightforward separation of the biocatalyst under a magnetic field. The support exhibited excellent biocompatibility with the enzyme, superior tolerance to pH and temperature as well as improved stability in comparison with the free enzyme, even in the presence of organic solvents and enzyme inhibitors. The technical feasibility of the removal of EDCs by immobilized laccase was assessed in two types of enzymatic reactors operated in sequential mode: a membrane reactor using fsMP-laccase and a reactor with magnetic separation using magnetized fsMP-laccase. The extent of transformation for the target compounds: bisphenol A (BPA) and 17β-estradiol (E2) was high and comparable to free laccase in both systems (up to 80%). The possibility of reusing the immobilized enzyme, especially for magnetized supports, offers an interesting approach in the development of enzyme based processes for the biotransformation of emerging pollutants.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTQ2013-44762-R and CTQ2016-79461-R). The authors belong to the Galician Competitive Research Group GRC 2013-032, programme co-funded by FEDER and CRETUS (AGRUP2015/02). Y.M-D. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her predoctoral fellows (BES-2014-068577).

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