Preparation of membrane-immobilised enzymes for phenol decomposition.

Abstract

A method for the preparation of membranes with immobilised enzymes for the biological degradation of phenols is described. In the first stage, an enzymatic fraction from bacterial strains has been isolated. The enzyme membranes were obtained by ultrafiltration of protein solution through a membrane support made of non-cellulose polymers. All enzymes were adsorbed onto the membrane surface. The enzyme membranes were found to degrade 70-80% of the phenol during single dead-end ultrafiltration at a pressure of 1 x 10(5)-3 x 10(5) Pa. The retention coefficient of the ultrafiltration process also amounted to 70-80%.