Immobilized Enzymes – Characteristics and Potential Applications in Synthetic Dye Color Removal

Abstract

In recent times, enzymatic approaches have been used in treatment of colored wastewater/industrial effluents. Peroxidases are very useful in removal of recalcitrant toxic compounds or transforming them into innocuous products. Although much attention has been paid in the utilization of biocatalysts in several fields, their involvement in solving the environmental problems has gained support. Enzymes in soluble states have limitations of catalytic ability and stability. As the complexity of the effluents increases, the ability of the enzymes to execute its catalytic potential decreases. Therefore, one of the approaches to improve stability, catalytic ability, reusability and shelf life of enzymes is by immobilization. Work in the area of enzyme technology has provided significant clues that facilitate using enzymes optimally at large scale by cross-linking, entrapping and immobilizing. The current article presents an insight into the use of peroxidases immobilized on several different supports for the dye color removal of synthetic dyes as well as several different contaminants.