Thermo-alkali-stable catalases from newly isolated Bacillus sp. for the treatment and recycling of textile bleaching effluents.

Three thermoalkaliphilic bacteria, which were grown at pH 9.3-10 and 60-65 degrees C were isolated out of a textile wastewater drain. The unknown micro-organisms were identified as thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. Growth conditions were studied and catalase activities and stabilities compared. Catalases from Bacillus SF showed high stabilities at 60 degrees C and pH 9 (t1/2=38 h) and thus this strain was chosen for further investigations, such as electron microscopy, immobilization of catalase and hydrogen peroxide degradation studies. Degradation of hydrogen peroxide with an immobilized catalase from Bacillus SF enabled the reuse of the water for the dyeing process. In contrast, application of the free enzyme for treatment of bleaching effluents, caused interaction between the denaturated protein and the dye, resulting in reduced dye uptake, and a higher color difference of 1.3DeltaE* of dyed fabrics compared to 0.9DeltaE* when using the immobilized enzyme.