Enzymatic degradation of alkylphenols, bisphenol A, synthetic estrogen and phthalic ester

Abstract

Five endocrine disrupting chemicals were degraded enzymatically in model bottom sediments. Since alkylphenols, bisphenol A, synthetic estrogen and phthalic esters are hydrophobic and found to be in bottom sediments in the water environment, we used a model polluted sediment in which those chemicals were adsorbed on sea sand. The concentration of alkylphenols (nonylphenol and octylphenol) and synthetic estrogen (ethynylestradiol) were decreased by fungal laccases which oxidize phenols with the aid of molecular oxygen. Bisphenol A was degraded by laccase from basidiomycetes with the aid of extracellular polymers. Dibutyl phthalate was hydrolyzed by lipase from Candida cylindracea. These results will be useful in the remediation of the bottom sediments polluted by endocrine disrupting chemicals.