Laccase-catalyzed decolorization and detoxification of Acid Blue 92: statistical optimization, microtoxicity, kinetics, and energetics

Background: In recent years, enzymatic-assisted removal of hazardous dyes has been considered as an alternative and eco-friendly method compared to those of physicochemical techniques. The present study was designed in order to obtain the optimal condition for laccase-mediated (purified from the ascomycete Paraconiothyrium variabile) decolorization of Acid Blue 92; a monoazo dye, using response surface methodology (RSM). So, a D-optimal design with three variables, including pH, enzyme activity, and dye concentration, was applied to optimize the decolorization process. In addition, the kinetic and energetic parameters of the above mentioned enzymatic removal of Acid Blue 92 was investigated. Results: Decolorization of Acid Blue 92 was maximally (94.1% ± 2.61) occurred at pH 8.0, laccase activity of 2.5 U/mL, and dye concentration of 75 mg/mL. The obtained results of kinetic and energetic studies introduced the laccase-catalyzed decolorization of Acid Blue 92 as an endothermic reaction (Ea, 39 kJ/mol; ?S, 131 J/mol K; and ?H, 40 kJ/mol) with Km and Vmax values of 0.48 mM and 227 mM/min mg, respectively. Furthermore, the results of microtoxicity study revealed that the toxicity of laccase-treated dye was significantly reduced compared to the untreated dye. Conclusions: To sum up, the present investigation introduced the Paraconiothyrium variabile laccase as an efficient biocatalyst for decolorization of synthetic dye Acid Blue 92.