Laccase-syringaldehyde-mediated degradation of trace organic contaminants in an enzymatic membrane reactor: removal efficiency and effluent toxicity

Authors

Luong N. Nguyen, University of WollongongFollow
Jason P. van de Merwe, Griffith University
Faisal I. Hai, University of WollongongFollow
Frederic D.L Leusch, Griffith University
Jinguo Kang, University of WollongongFollow
William E. Price, University of WollongongFollow
Felicity Roddick, RMIT University
Saleh F. Magram, King Abdulaziz UniversityFollow
Long D. Nghiem, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

103822

Publication Details

Nguyen, L. N., van de Merwe, J. P., Hai, F. I., Leusch, F. D.L., Kang, J., Price, W. E., Roddick, F., Magram, S. F. & Nghiem, L. D. (2016). Laccase-syringaldehyde-mediated degradation of trace organic contaminants in an enzymatic membrane reactor: removal efficiency and effluent toxicity. Bioresource Technology, 200 477-484.

Abstract

Redox-mediators such as syringaldehyde (SA) can improve laccase-catalyzed degradation of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) but may increase effluent toxicity. The degradation performance of 14 phenolic and 17 non-phenolic TrOCs by a continuous flow enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) at different TrOC and SA loadings was assessed. A specific emphasis was placed on the investigation of the toxicity of the enzyme (laccase), SA, TrOCs and the treated effluent. Batch tests demonstrated significant individual and interactive toxicity of the laccase and SA preparations. Reduced removal of resistant TrOCs by the EMR was observed for dosages over 50. μg/L. SA addition at a concentration of 10. μM significantly improved TrOC removal, but no removal improvement was observed at the elevated SA concentrations of 50 and 100. μM. The treated effluent showed significant toxicity at SA concentrations beyond 10. μM, providing further evidence that higher dosage of SA must be avoided.