Dye Decolorization by Manganese Peroxidase in an Enzymatic Membrane Bioreactor

In the present work an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) for the oxidation of azo dyes by manganese peroxidase (MnP) has been developed. The configuration consisted of a stirred tank reactor coupled with an ultrafiltration membrane. The membrane allowed for most of the enzymatic activity to be recovered while both the parent dye and the degradation products could pass through. Different operational strategies (batch, fed-batch, and continuous) and parameters such as enzyme activity, H2O2 feeding rate, hydraulic retention time (in continuous operation), and dye loading rate were studied. At best conditions, a continuous operation with a dye decolorization higher than 85% and minimal enzymatic deactivation was feasible for 18 days, attaining an efficiency of 42.5 mg Orange II oxidized/MnP unit consumed.