Biocatalytic membranes for ultrafiltration treatment of wastewater containing dyes

A possibility to prepare the biofunctional membranes showing the biocatalyt ic properties and use those in post-treatment of wastewater containing synt hetic dyes have been established. Selected Pseudomonas mendocina and Bacill us subtilis cultures were used as biocatalysts for dye destruction. It has been established that cells in spore form are able to survive in N-methylpy rrolidone that allow to use method of polymer solution casting for membrane preparation. The optimal conditions for entrapping of whole cells of micro organisms into the polymer matrix have been determined. Membrane biocatalyt ic activity has been studied depending on method of casting solution prepar ation, biocatalyst loading and operating parameters. Dye destruction occurs both in membrane pores and on membrane surface. Membrane obtained provide discolouring of treated solutions (permeate). The dye concentration in rete ntate depends on the trans-membrane fluxes. The concentration in retentate need not be observed at relatively low fluxes (up to 20 l/m(2) h).