Immobilization of laccase from Trametes hirsuta EDN 082 in light expanded clay aggregate for decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye

Immobilization is a method to enhance the activity, the stability and the reusability of enzymes. This study aims to evaluate the capacity of laccase from Trametes hirsuta EDN 082 immobilized in the activated Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) for dye decolorization. The effects of enzyme loading, the dosage of immobilized laccase-LECA, and the enzyme reusability were investigated. The results showed that the immobilization yield laccase-LECA was 78.78%. One gram of immobilized laccase-LECA with 4.65 U/g of enzyme loading decolorized 99.29% Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye for 3 h. The immobilized laccase-LECA reusability was up to 6 number cycles with 79.67% of the remaining decolorization rate. Immobilized laccase also shifted wide pH and temperature values compare to free enzyme. The kinetic study showed that the specific decolorization rate increases with an increase in initial dye concentration up to 700 and 900 mg/L for laccase-LECA and free laccase, respectively. [Display omitted] •LECA was pre-treated by steam activation and modified by APTS and glutaraldehyde.•Laccase produced by Trametes hirsuta EDN 082 was immobilized in activated LECA.•LECA showed excellent performance in terms of laccase immobilized yield.•Immobilization in LECA improved stability and kinetic reaction of laccase.•Laccase-LECA was reusable and maintained decolorization up to six cycles.