3D Chitin Scaffolds from the Marine Demosponge Aplysina archeri as a Support for Laccase Immobilization and Its Use in the Removal of Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

For the first time, 3D chitin scaffolds from the marine demosponge Aplysina archeri were used for adsorption and immobilization of laccase from Trametes versicolor. The resulting chitin–enzyme biocatalytic systems were applied in the removal of tetracycline. Effective enzyme immobilization was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Immobilization yield and kinetic parameters were investigated in detail, in addition to the activity of the enzyme after immobilization. The designed systems were further used for the removal of tetracycline under various process conditions. Optimum process conditions, enabling total removal of tetracycline from solutions at concentrations up to 1 mg/L, were found to be pH 5, temperature between 25 and 35 °C, and 1 h process duration. Due to the protective effect of the chitinous scaffolds and stabilization of the enzyme by multipoint attachment, the storage stability and thermal stability of the immobilized biomolecules were significantly improved as compared to the free enzyme. The produced biocatalytic systems also exhibited good reusability, as after 10 repeated uses they removed over 90% of tetracycline from solution. Finally, the immobilized laccase was used in a packed bed reactor for continuous removal of tetracycline, and enabled the removal of over 80% of the antibiotic after 24 h of continuous use.

Naturally Formed Chitinous Skeleton Isolated from the Marine Demosponge Aplysina fistularis as a 3D Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

“…Marine sponges are a remarkable donors of renewable biological materials [ 28 , 31 ]. Especially Verongida (Porifera) in particular was established as a good potential source of bioactive compounds (e.g., aeroplysinin-1 or isofistularin-3) [ 4 , 32 , 33 ] and chitinous skeletons [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Moreover, the possibility of underwater sponge farming makes them even more attractive [ 4 ].…”

Progress in Modern Marine Biomaterials Research

“…The presence of chitin in marine sponges has been revealed only recently [55,56] that was further confirmed by the detection of chitin in fossilized skeleton of 505 MYR old demosponge Vauxia gracilents [39]. Since then, chitin has been isolated from numerous species of marine [25,43,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69] as well as fresh-water sponges [70].…”

“…These findings are of a very high relevance to the current development in EV industry including the production of sensors, catalysts, electrochemical capacitors, the research focused on the latter also included I. basta chitinous scaffold to produce chitosan/sponge chitin membrane [87]. Finally, poriferan chitin-containing biocomposite materials demonstrated a potential for the adsorption of water pollutants, i.e., A. archeri scaffolds were used as a matrix for the immobilization of Trametes versicolor laccase that proved to efficiently remove tetracycline [69], while metallization of A. aerophoba scaffolds with silver nanoparticles and AgBr proved to be promising for water filtering systems with antibacterial properties [88]. Modern biocomposite-based scaffolding strategies include two key ways: to produce requested 3D constructs from corresponding precursors using technological tools or simply use naturally already pre-fabricated scaffolds if they originate from renewable sources.…”

Magnetic Nanomaterials as Biocatalyst Carriers for Biomass Processing: Immobilization Strategies, Reusability, and Applications

“…These extracellular enzymes are mainly cellulases and xylanases, which can be concentrated through separation methods and have high performance to hydrolyze the components of lignocellulose [1]. In addition, laccases have been used for the treatment of polluting effluents from the biorefinery and textile industrial dyes and products from pharmaceutical companies, among other pollutants, from wastewater [2,3]. On the other hand, the challenge for biocatalysts in engineering has been to control product distribution since biomass processing generates liquid and solid products derived from crystalline cellulose and lignin.…”