Biodegradation of phenol by immobilized Aspergillus awamori NRRL 3112 on modified polyacrylonitrile membrane

Covalent immobilization of Aspergillus awamori NRRL 3112 was conducted onto modified polyacrylonitrile membrane with glutaraldehyde as a coupling agent. The polymer carrier was preliminarily modified in an aqueous solution of NaOH and 1,2-diaminoethane. The content of amino groups was determined to be 0.58 mgeq g(-1). Two ways of immobilization were used-in the presence of 0.2 g l(-1) phenol and without phenol. The capability of two immobilized system to degrade phenol (concentration-0.5 g l(-1)) as a sole carbon and energy source was investigated in batch experiments. Seven cycles of phenol biodegradation were conducted. Better results were obtained with the immobilized system prepared in the presence of phenol, regarding degradation time and phenol biodegradation rate. Scanning electron micrographs of the polyacrylonitrile membrane/immobilized Aspergillus awamori NRRL at the beginning of repeated batch cultivation and after the 7th cycle were compared. After the 7th cycle of cultivation the observations showed large groups of cells. The results from the batch experiments with immobilized system were compared to the results produced by the free strain. Phenol biodegradation experiments were carried out also in a bioreactor with spirally wound membrane with bound Aspergillus awamori NRRL 3112 in a regime of recirculation. 10 cycles of 0.5 g l(-1) phenol biodegradation were run consecutively to determine the degradation time and rate for each cycle. The design of the bioreactor appeared to be quite effective, providing large membrane surface to bind the strain.

Apple juice clarification by immobilized pectolytic enzymes in packed or fluidized bed reactors

The catalytic behavior of a mixture of pectic enzymes, covalently immobilized on different supports (glass microspheres, nylon 6/6 pellets, and PAN beads), was analyzed with a pectin aqueous solution that simulates apple juice. The following parameters were investigated: the rate constant at which pectin hydrolysis is conducted, the time (tau(50)) in which the reduction of 50% of the initial viscosity is reached, and the time (tau(comp,dep)) required to obtain complete depectinization. The best catalytic system was proven to be PAN beads, and their pH and temperature behavior were determined. The yields of two bed reactors, packed or fluidized, using the catalytic PAN beads, were compared to the circulation flow rate of real apple juice. The experimental conditions were as follows: pH 4.0, T = 50 degrees C, and beads volume = 20 cm(3). The initial pectin concentration was the one that was present in our apple juice sample. No differences were observed at low circulation rates, while at higher recirculation rates, the time required to obtain complete pectin hydrolysis into the fluidized reactor was found to be 0.25 times smaller than in the packed bed reactor: 131 min for the packed reactors and 41 min for the fluidized reactors.

Poly(acrylonitrile)chitosan composite membranes for urease immobilization

(Poly)acrylonitrile/chitosan (PANCHI) composite membranes were prepared. The chitosan layer was deposited on the surface as well as on the pore walls of the base membrane. This resulted in the reduction of the pore size of the membrane and in an increase of their hydrophilicity. The pore structure of PAN and PANCHI membranes were determined by TEM and SEM analyses. It was found that the average size of the pore under a selective layer base PAN membrane is 7 microm, while the membrane coated with 0.25% chitosan shows a reduced pore size--small or equal to 5 microm and with 0.35% chitosan--about 4 microm. The amounts of the functional groups, the degree of hydrophilicity and transport characteristics of PAN/Chitosan composite membranes were determined. Urease was covalently immobilized onto all kinds of PAN/chitosan composite membranes using glutaraldehyde. Both the amount of bound protein and relative activity of immobilized urease were measured. The highest activity (94%) was measured for urease bound to PANCHI2 membranes (0.25% chitosan). The basic characteristics (pH(opt), pH(stability), T(opt), T(stability), heat inactivation and storage stability) of immobilized urease were determined. The obtained results show that the poly(acrylonitrile)chitosan composite membranes are suitable for enzyme immobilization.

Covalent Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase onto New Modified Acrylonitrile Copolymer/Silica Gel Hybrid Supports

New polymer/silica gel hybrid supports were prepared by coating high surface area of silica gel with modified acrylonitrile copolymer. The concentrations of the modifying agent (NaOH) and the modified polymer were varied. GOD was covalently immobilized on these hybrid supports and the relative activity and the amount of bound protein were determined. The highest relative activity and sufficient amount of bound protein of the immobilized GOD were achieved in 10% NaOH and 2% solution of modified acrylonitrile copolymer. The influence of glutaraldehyde concentration and the storage time on enzyme efficiency were examined. Glutaraldehyde concentration of 0.5% is optimal for the immobilized GOD. It was shown that the covalently bound enzyme (using 0.5% glutaraldehyde) had higher relative activity than the activity of the adsorbed enzyme. Covalently immobilized GOD with 0.5% glutaraldehyde was more stable for four months in comparison with the one immobilized on pure silica gel, hybrid support with 10% glutaraldehyde and the free enzyme. The effect of the pore size on the enzyme efficiency was studied on four types of silica gel with different pore size. Silica with large pores (CPC-Silica carrier, 375 A) presented higher relative activity than those with smaller pore size (Silica gel with 4, 40 and 100 A). The amount of bound protein was also reduced with decreasing the pore size. The effect of particle size was studied and it was found out that the smaller the particle size was, the greater the activity and the amount of immobilized enzyme were. The obtained results proved that these new polymer/silica gel hybrid supports were suitable for GOD immobilization.

Kinetic Parameters of Urease Immobilized on Modified Acrylonitrile Copolymer Membranes in the Presence and Absence of Cu(II) Ions

Poly(acrylonitrile-methylmethacrylate-sodium vinylsulfonate) membranes were subjected to seven different chemical modifications and the amount of the newly formed groups was measured for each membrane. Urease was then covalently immobilized onto the modified membranes and the amount of bound protein was determined. The kinetic parameters V(max) and K(m) of the immobilized urease were studied under static and dynamic conditions. Results showed that the rate of the enzyme reaction was higher for the membranes modified with NH(2)OH . H(2)SO(4), NH(2)NH(2) . H(2)SO(4), NaOH + EDA and NaOH + GA + EDA. It was confirmed that the reaction rate, measured under dynamic conditions, was higher than that one determined under static conditions. The influence of Cu(II) ions, as inhibitors, on the enzyme reaction kinetics (V(i) and K(i)) was also investigated. It turned out that the most sensitive membranes towards Cu(II) were those modified with NH(2)NH(2) . H(2)SO(4), NaOH + EDA and H(2)O(2). The results initiated further investigations on the influence of other heavy metal ions (Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II)) over urease bound to a NH(2)OH . H(2)SO(4)-modified membrane. It was found that the inhibition effect of the heavy metal ions over immobilized urease decreases in the order: Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Pb(II). [Diagram: see text]

Polyacrylonitrile Enzyme Ultrafiltration and Polyamide Enzyme Microfiltration Membranes Prepared by Diffusion and Convection

Glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) were covalently immobilized onto three types of polyacrylonitrile (PAN 1, PAN 2, and PAN 3) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with different pore sizes and one type of polyamide (PA) microfiltration (MF) membrane by the bifunctional reagent, glutaraldehyde. The initial membranes were pre-modified to generate active amide groups in the PAN membranes and active amino groups in the PA membranes. The PAN 3 membrane contained the highest amount of active groups, and the membrane PA the lowest. The modified membranes were enzyme-loaded by diffusion and convection (UF). The effect of membrane pore size and immobilization methods on enzymatic activity and bound protein were studied. The most effective immobilized system was prepared by diffusion using a PAN 3 membrane as a carrier (bound protein: 0.055 mg/cm(2), relative activity: 87.6%). This membrane had the highest pore size of all the PAN membranes. Despite the highest pore size of PA membrane, the enzyme PA membranes prepared by diffusion showed the lowest amount of bound protein (0.03 mg/cm(2)) and the lowest relative activity (35.38%). This correlates with the lowest amount of active groups found in these membranes. The relative activity was higher for all the enzyme systems loaded by diffusion. The systems prepared by convection of the enzyme solution contained higher amounts of enzymes (0.035-0.13 mg/cm(2) protein), which led to internal substrate diffusion resistance and a decrease in the GOD relative activity (21.55-68.5%) in these systems. The kinetic parameters (V(max) and K(m)) and the glucose conversion of the immobilized systems prepared by diffusion were also studied. [diagram in text].

Gluconic Acid Production in Bioreactor with Immobilized Glucose Oxidase Plus Catalase on Polymer Membrane Adjacent to Anion-Exchange Membrane

Gluconic acid was obtained in the permeate side of the bioreactor with glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilized onto anion-exchange membrane (AEM) of low-density polyethylene grafted with 4-vinylpiridine. The electric resistance of the anion-exchange membranes was increased after the enzyme immobilization on the membrane. The gluconic acid productions were relatively low with the GOD immobilized by any method on the AEM. To increase the enzyme reaction efficiency, GOD was immobilized on membrane of AN copolymer (PAN) adjacent to an anion-exchange membrane in bioreactor. Uses of anion-exchange membrane led to selective removal of the gluconic acid from the glucose solution and reduce the gluconic acid inhibition. The amount of gluconic acid obtained in the permeate side of the bioreactor with the GOD immobilized on the PAN membrane adjacent to the AEM under electrodialysis was about 30 times higher than that obtained with enzyme directly bound to the AEM. The optimal substrate concentration in the feed side was found to be about 1 g/l. Further experiments were carried out with the co-immobilized GOD plus Catalase (CAT) on the PAN membrane adjacent to the AEM to improve the efficiency of the immobilize system. The yield of this process was at least 95%. The storage stability of the co-immobilized GOD and CAT was studied (lost 20% of initial activity for 90 d). The results obtained clearly showed the higher potential of the dual membrane bioreactor with GOD plus CAT bound to ultrafiltration polymer membrane adjacent to the AEM. Storage stability of GOD activity in GOD plus CAT immobilized on PAN//AEM membranes and on AEM.

Immobilization of urease onto chemically modified acrylonitrile copolymer membranes

Poly (acrylonitrile-methylmethacrylate-sodium vinylsulfonate) membranes were subjected to seven different chemical modifications. The amounts of new groups incorporated in the membranes with the modifications were determined. Urease was covalently immobilized on the modified membranes. Both the amount of bound protein and relative activity of immobilized urease were measured. The highest activity was found for urease bound to membranes modified with hydroxylammonium sulfate (68%) and hydrazinium sulfate (67%). Optimum pH of free urease was determined to be 5.8. For positively charged membranes, pH optimum was shifted to higher values, while for negatively charged membranes-to lower pH. The charge of the matrix affected also the rate of the enzyme reaction. The highest rate was measured with urease immobilized on membranes modified with hydroxylammonium sulfate and hydrazinium sulfate. The major part of the immobilized enzyme on different modified membranes remained stable-only ca. 20% of enzyme activity was lost for 4 h at 70 degrees C while the free enzyme was totally inactivated.