402

26 Novel Biotechnological Approaches for Removal of Emerging Contaminants

Table 26.1

Enzymatic treatment of EC and its efficiency.

Enzyme

Contaminant

Removal efficiency (%)

Laccase from Trametes

pubescens

Bisphenol A

>99

Laccase from

Myceliophthora

thermophila

Morphine

100

Laccase from Trametes

versicolor

Orange 2

72.8

Acid Orange 6

45.3

Laccase from Fomes

fomentarius

Remazol Brilliant

Blue R

100

Laccase from

Myceliophthora

thermophila

Estrogens

100

Diclofenac

100

Naproxen

100

Peroxidase from Pleurotus

ostreatus

Bromophenol Blue

98

Methylene Blue

10

Toluidine Blue O

10

Bacterial peroxidases

Bisphenol A

100

26.6.3

Biofiltration

Biofiltration is used for the removal of PCP and pharmaceutical products during

wastewater treatment. This method is more efficient in the removal of estradiol

derivatives when compared to ibuprofen and triclosan which are partially removed

(Table 26.2) [2].

26.6.4

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is a method of removal of contaminants from the water and other

polluted sites. It involves the use of living organisms, such as microbes and plants,

to reduce/degrade, eliminate, and transform contaminants present in soils, sedi-

ments, and water. This method has gained wider acceptance in the recent years

because of its potential to remove various organic and inorganic contaminants from

various sites of the environment. Bioremediation provides an effective treatment of

inorganic and organic contaminants under in situ and ex situ conditions by natural

means. Potential of microbes and plants have been exploited to achieve maximum

removal of inorganic and organic contaminants. The genetic engineering strategies

have been employed to improve the efficacy of this technique for achieving complete

degradation of contaminants. Bioremediation follows biosorption and bioaccumu-

lation methods for the removal of the hazardous substances from the waste.

During biosorption process, the contaminants are absorbed on the cellular

surface of the sorbents depending on the rate of kinetic energy and composition.