Simultaneous Removal of Textile Dyes by Adsorption and Biodegradation Using Trametes villosa Laccase Immobilized on Magnetic Particles

Iron oxide magnetic particles (PMag) synthesized by microwave heating and irradiation were evaluated individually and loaded with laccases produced by the white-rot fungi Trametes villosa for removal of Acid Blue 277 and Acid Black 172 dyes. PMag were tested for the adsorption capacity and laccase enzymes were successfully immobilized on the surface of PMag, previously functionalized by APTES ((3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane) and glutaraldehyde (Lac-PMag), for simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation of the dyes. PMag removed approximately 99.00% of Acid Blue 277 and 98.00% of Acid Black 172 from aqueous solutions at an initial dye concentration of 10 mg L-1. The immobilization yield of laccase enzymes was 99.85 +/- 0.18%, and recovered activity was 46.18 +/- 0.20%. In the simultaneous process of adsorption and biodegradation of dyes, Lac-PMag presented two-fold the removal efficiency of PMag at the highest initial concentration of the dyes. Lac-PMag removed 52.72 +/- 1.23 and 57.47 +/- 2.38 mg g(-1) of Acid Blue 277 and Acid Black 172, respectively, both at an initial concentration of 300 mg L-1. Hence, the synthesized PMag was more effective in removing the dyes at the lowest initial concentrations in solution and Lac-PMag demonstrated efficiency in a simultaneous process of adsorption and biodegradation in higher concentrations of the dyes. Our results highlight the synergistic effect of adsorption and enzymatic degradation on dyes removal by Lac-PMag, which makes the technology even more efficient, ecofriendly, and economical. Highlights PMag functionalization and silanization process improve particles adsorption. Laccase activity of Lac-PMag is stored for 8 months. Magnetic particles are easily recovered from the solution using a magnetic field. The simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation improve dye removal efficiency.

Automated summary

Iron oxide magnetic particles (PMag) synthesized via microwave heating and radiation, combined with laccases from white-rot fungi, were effective in removing Acid Blue 277 and Acid Black 172 dyes. While PMag showed high efficiency in low dye concentrations, Lac-PMag demonstrated superior removal capabilities at higher concentrations. The simultaneous process of adsorption and biodegradation by Lac-PMag proved to be an eco-friendly and economically efficient method for dye removal.