Biocatalytic generation of Mn(III)-chelate as a chemical oxidant of different environmental contaminants

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the enzymatic generation of the Mn³⁺-malonate complex and its application to the process of oxidizing several organic compounds. The experimental set-up consisted of an enzymatic reactor coupled to an ultrafiltration membrane, providing continuous generation of Mn³⁺-malonate from a reaction medium containing versatile peroxidase (an enzyme produced by Bjerkanderaadusta strain BOS55), H₂O₂, MnSO_4, and malonate. The effluent of the enzymatic reactor was introduced into a batch-stirred reactor to oxidize three different classes of compounds: an azo dye (Orange II), three natural and synthetic estrogens, and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (anthracene). The enzymatic reactor provided the Mn³⁺ complex under steady-state conditions, and this oxidative species was able to transform the three classes of xenobiotics considerably (90–99%) with negligible loss of activity. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011