Novel methodology for enzymatic removal of atrazine from water by CBD-fusion protein immobilized on cellulose

s-Triazines including atrazine are heavily used agricultural herbicides, and their extensive removal from industrial wastewater is required before these effluents can be disposed. The use of enzymes for this purpose is an important potential alternative to conventional methods of detoxification. The purpose of the present study was to develop an enzyme-based technology for the treatment of atrazine contaminated water. In this paper we describe the construction and expression of two fusion proteins which dechlorinate atrazine while being firmly bound to an insoluble cellulose matrix. Dechlorination of atrazine produces in one enzymatic step the nonregulated compound hydroxyatrazine from the regulated mother compound, atrazine.