Horseradish peroxidase immobilization within micro-beads of oxidized tyramine-alginate for phenol removal from wastewater

Abstract

Natural polymers such as alginate, pectin, chitosan etc. were used as carriers for the immobilization of different types of enzymes. Among investigated enzymes, peroxidases hold a special place. Immobilized enzymes are frequently used in phenol removal reactions. In this research horseradish peroxidase was immobilized within alginate micro-beads. This natural polymer was previously oxidized with sodium periodate and modified with tyramine hydrochloride. Percent of oxidation was varied from 2.5 mol% to 10 mol%, and an increase in specific activity was noticed with increasing the oxidation percent. Immobilized peroxidases showed satisfactory stabilities after 10 days of storage. Phenol concentration in a batch reactor decreased during its oxidation with horseradish peroxidase immobilized on tyramine-alginate hydrogels.