Phenothiazines as efficient redox mediators for dye-decolorization at
neutral / alkaline pH by bacterial laccases
Abstract
Laccases are oxidoreductases with the outstanding ability to oxidize
phenolic and non-phenolic substrates coupled to the reduction of O2 to
H2O. Among them, bacterial enzymes are suitable biocatalysts for
application in industrial processes under harsh conditions. However, to
be active on high redox potential substrates, bacterial laccases
requires of redox mediators: electron carriers between the laccase and
other compounds not directly oxidizable by the enzyme. Here we
demonstrate that β-(10-phenothiazyl)-propionic acid can be used as an
efficient and low-cost redox mediator for decolorization of synthetic
dyes by bacterial laccases. Using this laccase-mediator system, more
than 80% of Indigo Carmine and Malachite Green decolorization was
reached after 1 h or 2 h of incubation, respectively, both at pH 8 and
in tap water (pH 6.8). Furthermore, more than 40% of Remazol Brilliant
Blue R and 80% of Xylidine ponceau were decolorized after 5 h at pH 8
and 50°C. In addition, we showed this system supports at least 3
decoloration cycles without loss of activity, representing a promising
biological process for cost-effective and environmentally friendly
decolorization and degradation of synthetic dyes and for other
industrial applications of laccases requiring neutral or alkaline pH.