Biodegradation of phenols by laccase immobilised in a membrane reactor

The results of a study of immobilisation of a commercial laccase onto a spi ral-wound asymmetric polyethersulphone membrane are described. The immobili sed enzyme system displayed a promising half-life of more than 150 h for ox idation of syringaldazine. The laccase membrane reactor was applied to the biodegradation of a model phenol solution containing 18 phenolic substrates , including chlorophenols, cresols and methoxyphenols. It has been confirme d that the type and/or the position of substituent group affect the level o f substrate oxidation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.