Potentiality of a ceramic membrane reactor for the laccase-catalyzed removal of bisphenol A from secondary effluents

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology 2015-11, Vol.99 (21), p.9299-9308
• Main Authors: Arca-Ramos, A, Eibes, G, Feijoo, G, Lema, J. M, Moreira, M. T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Benzhydryl Compounds - metabolism; Biocatalysts; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bioreactors; Bioremediation; Biotechnology; Biotransformation; Bisphenol A; Capital costs; Ceramics; Chemical reactors; Chemicals; colloids; Effluents; Environmental Biotechnology; Enzymatic activity; enzyme activity; enzyme stability; Enzymes; Experiments; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Influence; ions; laccase; Laccase - metabolism; Life Sciences; Membrane reactors; Membranes; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; Nanoparticles; Phenols - metabolism; Pollutant removal; Pollutants; Polymerization; Reactors; Recycling; Retention; sorption; Studies; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants - metabolism; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment; yields
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6826-4

In this study, the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) by laccase in a continuous enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) was investigated. The effects of key parameters, namely, type of laccase, pH, and enzyme activity, were initially evaluated. Once optimal conditions were determined, the continuous removal of the pollutant in an EMR was assessed in synthetic and real biologically treated wastewaters. The reactor configuration consisted of a stirred tank reactor coupled to a ceramic membrane, which prevented the sorption of the pollutant and allowed the recovery and recycling of laccase. Nearly complete removal of BPA was attained under both operation regimes with removal yields above 94.5 %. In experiments with real wastewater, the removal of BPA remained high while the presence of colloids and certain ions and the formation of precipitates on the membrane potentially affected enzyme stability and made necessary the periodic addition of laccase. Polymerization and degradation were observed as probable mechanisms of BPA transformation by laccase.