Enzyme-loaded nanoparticles for the degradation of wastewater contaminants: a review

Abstract

Preventing water pollution and conserving water are major issues in the context of population growth and worldwide pollution, calling for advanced remediation techniques. Classical remediation techniques of water cleaning such as membrane adsorption are able to separate pollutants from water, yet the separated pollutants require additional treatment or disposal. Therefore, techniques that degrade the pollutant appear promising, provided that pollutants are organic and degradable. Here, we review the enzymatic degradation of organic pollutants with focus on methods to immobilize enzymes and nanoparticles as support materials. We discuss the degradation of pesticides, dyes, phenolic compounds and antibiotics.