Polymerization study of the aromatic amines generated by the biodegradation of azo dyes using the laccase enzyme

Four different azo dyes were decolorized (color reduction >90%) by bacteria isolated from a textile wastewater effluent. Dye decolorizing was carried out under microaerobic conditions until completion, after which the aromatic amine concentration was determined. A laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila was used to catalyze coupling reactions of the aromatic amines produced from decolorizing the dyes. The reaction was carried out with stirring (100 rpm) in a weak acidic buffer solution (pH 5.0) at 45 °C for 3 days. The presence of aromatic amines in the samples after bacterial decolorizing confirmed the azo bond was reduced in the process. In addition, the UV–vis spectrum was shifted significantly after the sequential bacterial-laccase treatment also indicating a chemical transformation of the dyes. After laccase treatment the solutions formed colored soluble and precipitated products. The particles sizes making up the precipitates formed after laccase treatment varied between 105 and 483 nm as determined by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS). The laccase treatment also reduced the COD of the dye solutions by ∼20%. We show that successive bacterial-laccase treatment is effective in decolorized azo dyes by reduction of the azo bonds, and promoting coupling reactions between the aromatic amines formed. Promoting coupling reactions between the aromatic amines using enzymes may prove useful for the physical removal and reuse of these amines.