Peroxidase-catalyzed removal of phenols from coal-conversion waste waters

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 221; no. 4607; pp. 259 - 261
• Main Authors: Klibanov, Alexander M., Tu, Tsu-Man, Scott, Kevin P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC The American Association for the Advancement of Science 15-07-1983; American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biological markers; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Coal conversion; Environment and pollution; Environmental agencies; Enzymes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial effluents; Organic pollution; Phenols; Precipitates; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Water pollution; Enzymatic treatment; Enzyme; Coal; Phenols; Peroxidase; Industrial effluent; Biological purification
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.221.4607.259

A novel, enzymatic approach has been developed for the removal of phenols from coal-conversion aqueous effluents. Treatment with horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide precipitates 97 to 99 percent of the phenol in a wide range of pH and phenol concentrations; both model mixtures and real industrial waste-water samples have been treated successfully. Other pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, can be enzymatically coprecipitated with the phenols.