Immobilization of laccase-ABTS system for the development of a continuous flow packed bed bioreactor for decolorization of textile effluent.

Decolourization of textile effluent is always being a problem of major concern for the safe disposal of effluent water in river stream. Due to intense colour of the effluent water, even after the treatment, disposal of the water in river stream is under strict environmental regulation. Laccase, a natural oxidase, have the miraculous power to decolourize different dyes with or without mediators. However, stability and cost of implementation of the enzyme at industrial conditions make the entire process unfeasible at industrial scale. In the present study, a highly thermo-alkali-stable, metal, surfactant and organic solvent tolerant laccase from Bacillus sp. MSK-01 was immobilized in Cu-alginate bead with ABTS mediator under standardized conditions. A continuous flow packed bed bioreactor was formulated to develop a continuous method of the treatment of effluent water. Results showed 66% reduction in the colour of the effluent. UV-VIS spectrum analysis of the treated and untreated samples showed the formation of the degradation products of dyes due to the action of laccase. The developed process can be made useful for on site industrial application.