Integration of an enzymatic bioreactor with membrane distillation for enhanced biodegradation of trace organic contaminants

Abstract A novel membrane distillation – enzymatic membrane bioreactor (MD-EMBR) system was developed for efficient degradation of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs). Degradation of five TrOCs, namely carbamazepine, oxybenzone, diclofenac, atrazine and sulfamethoxazole was examined using two commercially available laccases (from Trametes versicolor and Aspergillus oryzae ). The MD system ensured complete retention (>99%) of both enzyme and TrOCs. Of particular interest was that the complete retention of the TrOCs resulted in high TrOC degradation by both laccases. Oxybenzone and diclofenac degradation in the MD-EMBR ranged between 80 and 99%. Compared to previously developed EMBRs, as much as 40% improvement in the removal of resistant non-phenolic TrOCs ( e.g., carbamazepine) was observed. Laccase from A. oryzae demonstrated better TrOC degradation and enzymatic stability. With the addition of redox mediators, namely 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) or violuric acid (VA), TrOC degradation was improved by 10–20%. This is the first demonstration of a laccase-based high retention membrane bioreactor for enhanced biodegradation of TrOCs.

[1]  G. Feijoo,et al.  On the use of a high-redox potential laccase as an alternative for the transformation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) , 2013 .

[2]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Biocatalytic membrane reactors for the removal of recalcitrant and emerging pollutants from wastewater , 2013 .

[3]  H. Ngo,et al.  A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate and removal during wastewater treatment. , 2014, The Science of the total environment.

[4]  José Sánchez,et al.  Optimization and characterization of an enzymatic membrane for the degradation of phenolic compounds , 2012 .

[5]  S. Agathos,et al.  Formulation and characterization of an immobilized laccase biocatalyst and its application to eliminate organic micropollutants in wastewater. , 2013, New biotechnology.

[6]  C. Galli,et al.  Mechanistic and steric issues in the oxidation of phenolic and non-phenolic compounds by laccase or laccase-mediator systems. The case of bifunctional substrates , 2006 .

[7]  S. Sayadi,et al.  Decolourization and detoxification of textile industry wastewater by the laccase-mediator system. , 2010, Journal of hazardous materials.

[8]  M. Otero,et al.  Processes for the elimination of estrogenic steroid hormones from water: a review. , 2012, Environmental pollution.

[9]  M. Gavrilescu,et al.  Emerging pollutants in the environment: present and future challenges in biomonitoring, ecological risks and bioremediation. , 2015, New biotechnology.

[10]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Continuous adsorption and biotransformation of micropollutants by granular activated carbon-bound laccase in a packed-bed enzyme reactor. , 2016, Bioresource technology.

[11]  Daniel L. Purich,et al.  Enzyme Kinetics : Catalysis & Control : A Reference of Theory and Best-Practice Methods , 2010 .

[12]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Continuous biotransformation of bisphenol A and diclofenac by laccase in an enzymatic membrane reactor , 2014 .

[13]  Tzahi Y Cath,et al.  Removal of trace organic chemicals and performance of a novel hybrid ultrafiltration-osmotic membrane bioreactor. , 2014, Environmental science & technology.

[14]  Young-Jin Kim,et al.  Impact of reaction conditions on the laccase-catalyzed conversion of bisphenol A. , 2006, Bioresource technology.

[15]  M. T. Moreira,et al.  Understanding the factors controlling the removal of trace organic contaminants by white-rot fungi and their lignin modifying enzymes: a critical review. , 2013, Bioresource technology.

[16]  Joseph M Betz,et al.  Accuracy, precision, and reliability of chemical measurements in natural products research. , 2011, Fitoterapia.

[17]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Degradation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products by White-Rot Fungi—a Critical Review , 2017, Current Pollution Reports.

[18]  J. Nicell,et al.  Efficacy of mediators for enhancing the laccase-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous phenol , 2007 .

[19]  Shelby A. Flint,et al.  Bisphenol A exposure, effects, and policy: a wildlife perspective. , 2012, Journal of environmental management.

[20]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Trace organic contaminants removal by combined processes for wastewater reuse , 2014 .

[21]  P. Hartemann,et al.  Emerging pollutants in wastewater: a review of the literature. , 2011, International journal of hygiene and environmental health.

[22]  H. Okamura,et al.  Elimination of carbamazepine by repeated treatment with laccase in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. , 2010, Journal of hazardous materials.

[23]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Degradation of a broad spectrum of trace organic contaminants by an enzymatic membrane reactor: Complementary role of membrane retention and enzymatic degradation , 2015 .

[24]  Wenshan Guo,et al.  The effects of mediator and granular activated carbon addition on degradation of trace organic contaminants by an enzymatic membrane reactor. , 2014, Bioresource technology.

[25]  N. Hilal,et al.  Membrane distillation: A comprehensive review , 2012 .

[26]  G. Feijoo,et al.  Degradation of estrogens by laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila in fed-batch and enzymatic membrane reactors. , 2012, Journal of hazardous materials.

[27]  Menachem Elimelech,et al.  The role of forward osmosis and microfiltration in an integrated osmotic-microfiltration membrane bioreactor system. , 2015, Chemosphere.

[28]  Long D Nghiem,et al.  Performance of a novel osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) system: flux stability and removal of trace organics. , 2012, Bioresource technology.

[29]  G. Feijoo,et al.  Laccase-catalyzed degradation of anti-inflammatories and estrogens , 2010 .

[30]  Duu-Jong Lee,et al.  Impacts of redox-mediator type on trace organic contaminants degradation by laccase: Degradation efficiency, laccase stability and effluent toxicity , 2016 .

[31]  H. Cabana,et al.  Laccase immobilization and insolubilization: from fundamentals to applications for the elimination of emerging contaminants in wastewater treatment , 2013, Critical reviews in biotechnology.

[32]  V. Jegatheesan,et al.  Estimating design parameters for sustainable operation of a membrane bioreactor treating s-triazine herbicide , 2017 .

[33]  G. Feijoo,et al.  Degradation of selected pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) by white-rot fungi , 2011 .

[34]  Tzahi Y. Cath,et al.  Rejection and fate of trace organic compounds (TrOCs) during membrane distillation , 2014 .

[35]  Stuart J. Khan,et al.  Biological performance and trace organic contaminant removal by a side-stream ceramic nanofiltration membrane bioreactor , 2016 .

[36]  L. Nghiem,et al.  Laccase-syringaldehyde-mediated degradation of trace organic contaminants in an enzymatic membrane reactor: Removal efficiency and effluent toxicity. , 2016, Bioresource technology.

[37]  I. Xagoraraki,et al.  Occurrence of pharmaceuticals in a municipal wastewater treatment plant: mass balance and removal processes. , 2012, Chemosphere.

[38]  Charles Junghanns,et al.  Harnessing the power of enzymes for environmental stewardship. , 2012, Biotechnology advances.

[39]  Tzahi Y. Cath,et al.  A scaling mitigation approach during direct contact membrane distillation , 2011 .

[40]  Tzahi Y Cath,et al.  A novel membrane distillation-thermophilic bioreactor system: biological stability and trace organic compound removal. , 2014, Bioresource technology.