Removal of aqueous phenolic compounds from a model system by oxidative polymerization with turnip (Brassica napus L var purple top white globe) peroxidase

• Published in: Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) Vol. 78; no. 1; pp. 42 - 47
• Main Authors: Duarte-Vázquez, Miguel A, Ortega-Tovar, Mónica A, García-Almendarez, Blanca E, Regalado, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.01.2003; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; bioremediation of wastewater; Biotechnology; Brassica napus; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial wastewaters; phenolic compounds' removal; Pollution; turnip peroxidase; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; Enzymatic catalysis; Biological purification; Ethylene oxide polymer; Time dependence; Additive; Enzymatic activity; Cruciferae; Dicotyledones; Biotransformation; Angiospermae; pH; Organic compounds; Chemical precipitation; Enzyme; Experimental study; Hydrogen Peroxides; Bisphenol A; Phenol; Peroxidases; Industrial waste water; Medium effect; Concentration effect; Phenols; Brassica napus; Spermatophyta; Oxidoreductases; Oxidative polymerization; Waste water purification
• ISSN: 0268-2575; 1097-4660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.740

Turnip roots, which are readily available in Mexico, are a good source of peroxidase, and because of their kinetic and biochemical properties have a high potential as an economic alternative to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The efficiency of using turnip peroxidase (TP) to remove several different phenolic compounds as water‐insoluble polymers from synthetic wastewater was investigated. The phenol derivatives studied included phenol, 2‐chlorophenol, 3‐chlorophenol, o‐cresol, m‐cresol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol and bisphenol‐A. The effect of pH, substrate concentration, amount of enzyme activity, reaction time and added polyethylene glycol (PEG) was investigated in order to optimize reaction conditions. A removal efficiency ≥85% was achieved for 0.5 mmol dm−3 phenol derivatives at pH values between 4 and 8, after a contact time of 3 h at 25 °C with 1.28 U dm−3 of TP and 0.8 mmol dm−3 H2O2. Addition of PEG (100–200 mg dm−3) significantly reduced the reaction time required (to 10 min) to obtain >95% removal efficiency and up to 230% increase in remaining TP activity. A relatively low enzyme activity (0.228 U dm−3) was required to remove >95% of three phenolic solutions in the presence of 100–200 mg dm−3 PEG. TP showed efficient and fast removal of aromatic compounds from synthetic wastewaters in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and PEG. These results demonstrate that TP has good potential for the treatment of phenolic‐contaminated solutions. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry