Dye decolorisation by laccase immobilised in lens-shaped poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel capsules

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, laccase (from Trametes versicolor, 8.3 U mgenz−1) was used for the decolorisation of Saturn Blue L4G (10 mg L−1). The efficiency of the decolorisation (ratio between the amount of decolorised dye and initial amount of dye) by a free enzyme was 48 % and the decolorisation rate was determined at 2.11 × 10−3 mgdye mgenz−1 min−1. After immobilisation in lens-shaped poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel capsules LentiKats® Biocatalyst (LB) (concentration of immobilised enzyme: 4 mg per g of particles; volume-loading rate of LB: 10 g per 100 mL of medium), the enzyme retained 16.1 % of its original activity (1.34 U mgenz−1). Immobilised laccase was used for the dye decolorisation in 130 repeated batch tests with 71 % efficiency (LB activity: 7 × 10−3 mgdye min−1 gLB−1). In continuous mode (after 716.5 h), the efficiency of the dye decolorisation was 48 % (LB activity: 3.3 × 10−4 mgdye min/−1 gLB−1).