White-rot fungi (WRF) and their lignin modifying enzymes (LME) can degrade a wide range of trace organic contaminants (TrOC), which are suspected to cause adverse health effects in humans and other biota. Recent studies have successfully applied either whole-cell WRF or their extracellular culture extract to remove TrOC from the aqueous phase. TrOC removal by a WRF system is dependent on a range of factors including molecular structure of the TrOC, fungal species and their specific LME, culture medium composition, and methods to enhance fungal degradation capacity; however, the specific relationships between these factors have not been systematically delineated. The aim of this review paper is to fill this important gap in the literature by critically analysing the ability of WRF and their LME specifically to remove TrOC. Mechanisms and factors governing the degradation of TrOC by WRF and their LME are reviewed and discussed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. AbstractWhite-rot fungi (WRF) and their lignin modifying enzymes (LME) can degrade a wide range of trace organic contaminants (TrOC), which are suspected to cause adverse health effects in humans and other biota. Recent studies have successfully applied either whole-cell WRF or their extracellular culture extract to remove TrOC from the aqueous phase. TrOC removal by a WRF system is dependent on a range of factors including molecular structure of the TrOC, fungal species and their specific LME, culture medium composition, and methods to enhance fungal degradation capacity; however, the specific relationships between these factors have not been systematically delineated. The aim of this review paper is to fill this important gap in the literature by critically analysing the ability of WRF and their LME specifically to remove TrOC. Mechanisms and factors governing the degradation of TrOC by WRF and their LME are reviewed and discussed.

Abstract:The continued depletion of fresh drinking water resources throughout the world has increased the need for a variety of water treatment and recycling strategies. Conventional wastewater treatment processes rely on extensive chemical post-disinfection to comply with the stringent microbiological safety for water reuse. When well designed and operated, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) can consistently achieve efficient removals of suspended solids, protozoa and coliform bacteria. Under optimal conditions, MBR systems can also significantly remove various viruses and phages. This paper provides an in-depth overview of the mechanisms and influencing factors of pathogen removal by MBR and highlights practical issues, such as reduced chemical disinfectant dosing requirements and associated economic and environmental benefits. Special attention has been paid to the aspects, such as membrane cleaning, membrane imperfections/breach and microbial regrowth, in the distribution system on the overall pathogen removal performance of MBR.

A novel enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) was explored for continuous removal of two trace organic contaminatnts (TrOCs) ubiquitously detected in wastewater-namely bisphenol A (BPA and diclofnac (DCF)-by a commercially available laccase from aspergillus oryzae.

Nghiem, L. D. (2015). Degradation of a broad spectrum of trace organic contaminants by an enzymatic membrane reactor: complementary role of membrane retention and enzymatic degradation. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 99 115-122.Degradation of a broad spectrum of trace organic contaminants by an enzymatic membrane reactor: complementary role of membrane retention and enzymatic degradation AbstractLaccase-catalysed degradation of 30 trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) with diverse chemical structure was investigated in an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) equipped with an ultrafiltration membrane. Compared to the results from batch incubation tests, the EMR could facilitate degradation of some phenolic and a number of non-phenolic TrOCs. Laccase, which was completely retained by the membrane, formed a dynamic gel layer on the membrane surface onto which TrOCs were adsorbed. EMR investigations with active and heat-inactivated laccase confirmed that the TrOCs retained by the active laccase gel layer were eventually degraded. Redox-mediator addition to the EMR significantly extended the spectrum of efficiently degraded TrOCs, but a limited improvement was observed in batch tests. The results demonstrate the important role of TrOC retention by the enzyme gel layer dynamically formed on the membrane in achieving improved degradation of TrOCs by the mediator-assisted laccase system. Despite following the same hydrogen atom transfer pathway, the mediators tested (syringaldehyde and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole) exhibited TrOC-specific degradation improvement capacity. Laccase-catalysed degradation of 30 trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) with diverse

The removal of four recalcitrant trace organic contaminants (TrOCs), namely carbamazepine, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole and atrazine by laccase in an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) was studied. Laccases are not effective for degrading non-phenolic compounds; nevertheless, 22-55 % removal of these four TrOCs was achieved by the laccase EMR. The addition of the redox-mediator syringaldehyde (SA) to the EMR resulted in a notable dosedependent improvement (15-45%) of TrOC removal affected by inherent TrOC properties and loading rates. However, SA addition resulted in a concomitant increase in the toxicity of the treated effluent. A further 14-25% improvement in aqueous phase removal of the TrOCs was consistently observed following a one-off dosing of 3 g/L granular activated carbon (GAC). Mass balance analysis reveals that this improvement was not due solely to adsorption but also enhanced biodegradation. GAC addition also reduced membrane fouling and the SA-induced toxicity of the effluent.