Effective bioremoval of syntan using fungal laccase to reduce pollution from effluent

Syntans are synthetically prepared tanning agents from phenols that play an important role in leather making by enhancing the filling, grain characteristics and dyeing property. A considerable amount of syntan emanated in waste water contributes high pollution load with other heterocyclic aromatic compounds and causes serious environmental impact resulting in high oxygen demand. In order to overcome this, suitable biodegradation techniques have been developed using laccase from Penicillium chrysogenum. The influence of different environmental parameters on the biodegradation has also been studied which reveals that the maximum syntan degradation was obtained at pH 5.0, temperature at 32 °C for the duration of 48 h. Maximum biodegradation was found to be 96 and 94% for samples containing phenolic and melamine syntan. Ultraviolet spectra showed the peaks at around 280 nm for the presence of phenolic (DI) syntan and at 220 nm for melamine syntan which were disappeared later in the experimental sample indicating complete degradation of syntans. Fourier spectral analysis indicated that the peaks at the region between 1443–1574 and 1176 cm −1 correspond to C=C stretching and C–H bending for aromatic region which were later disappeared in the experimental sample. Ultrapressure liquid chromatography elution profiles of syntans showed relatively shorter retention time indicating formation of oxidized products. Syntans, namely DI and FB6, showed reduction in chemical oxygen demand up to 87.71 ± 4 and 83.38 ± 5%, respectively, while total organic carbon reduction was achieved up to 82.37 and 80.72%, respectively. Toxicity studies revealed that seeds were well germinated using the treated (biodegradation) samples by crude laccase .