Biodegradation of dye using free laccase and sol-gel laccase

Abstract

Malachite green oxalate dyes are of synthetic origin and their environmental existence is not well understood. They are resistant to direct aerobic bacterial degradation and form potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines. This study shows that applying the oxidative processes of enzymatic treatment with free laccase and sol-gel laccase could lead to dye degradation. The degradation of dye malachite green oxalate using free laccase and sol-gel laccase, respectively were 37% and 13% at 1 hour reaction. The optimum pH for the free laccase and sol-gel laccase respectively were at pH 5 and pH 6. The optimal temperature for degradation of dye by sol-gel laccase was at 40°C. These results showed that free laccase and sol-gel laccase have good performance in the degradation of malachite green oxalate dyes.