Immobilization of fungal mycelial and laccase from Trametes hirsuta EDN082 in alginate-cellulose beads and its use in Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye decolorization

In this study, laccase from Trametes hirsuta EDN 082 was immobilized onto alginate-cellulose beads (CAC-L) and employed for the decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye. The characterization and decolorization efficiency of the CAC-L beads were compared to immobilized laccase without cellulose (CA-L), immobilized fungal mycelia (CAC-FM), alginate-cellulose (CAC), and alginate beads (CA), and examined using light microscopy, FTIR, and SEM. The results showed that laccase was successfully immobilized onto alginate-cellulose beads with an enzyme loading of 1.9 U/mL and an immobilization efficiency of 97.7 %. The optimal decolorization (89.2 %) was achieved with 2 g CAC-L beads and 1.9 U/mL laccase activity at 40 °C and pH 5 for 6 h of incubation. Furthermore, the decolorization extent was >70–80 % after five cycles. The phytotoxicity test using Vigna radiata and Artemia salina revealed biodetoxification, indicating that CAC-L beads could be used as a biocatalyst for dye removal.