Optimization of the enzymatic treatment of synthetic effluents containing drugs with laccase-enriched extracts obtained from Xylaria sp.

• Grant number: 23/02310-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Andreia de Araújo Morandim
• Grantee: Pablo Mira Joaquino
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário FEI (UNIFEI). Campus de São Bernardo do Campo. São Bernardo do Campo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The studies for new effluent treatments that reduce waste and remove pollutants to levels permitted by law has grown substantially. In this context, biological processes, such as those that apply the enzyme laccase to promote the oxidation of aromatic compounds leading to the generation of compounds with lower cytotoxicity, have proven effective for effluents containing various drugs, dyes, and pesticides, among others. Therefore, to contribute to the work that has been developed and to reduce the cost of enzyme treatments, during the development of this work, the pre-purification and immobilization of laccase obtained from the fungus Xylaria sp. isolated from cassava leaves will be performed. The best immobilization matrix (chitosan or alginate) will be evaluated in this step. Subsequently, the operating conditions will be optimized for treating effluents containing synthetically prepared drugs by adding paracetamol, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim. Furthermore, the best temperature, time, and pH for carrying out the process will be evaluated, as well as the maximum concentration of each component that can be treated with a predetermined dosage of the immobilized enzyme. All data will be accessed via HPLC. A study will also be conducted regarding the reuse of the immobilized enzyme aiming to evaluate the stability after continuous cycles.