We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Formulation of a Chitosan-Laccase-Cutinase Composite for Bio-Coagulation and Enzymatic Degradation of Microplastics
Summary
Researchers developed a sustainable bio-coagulant using chitosan combined with laccase and cutinase enzymes to capture and break down microplastics in water. The chitosan-enzyme composite demonstrated effective coagulation and enzymatic degradation of microplastic particles, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional removal methods.
The widespread presence of microplastics in aquatic environments has emerged as a global issue because of their persistence and detrimental impacts on ecosystems and human health. Conventional methods for eliminating microplastics are frequently ineffective, expensive, and harmful to the environment. This research investigates the development of a sustainable bio-coagulant and biodegradation method for microplastics using chitosan-cutinase and chitosan-laccase based system. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer extracted from shrimp shells, acts as a biodegradable coagulant to enhance enzyme immobilization and aid in the aggregation of microplastics. Cutinase enzymes extracted from Fusarium oxysporum and laccase enzymes extracted from cabbage were utilized for their catalytic activity in breaking down the polymeric bonds present in microplastic particles. The formulated bio-coagulant's degradation performance was assessed through system testing. Findings indicated that the chitosan–cutinase and chitosan-laccase composite improved microplastic coagulation and showed notable degradation activity, validated by alterations in particle morphology using the UV–visible spectral analysis. Overall, the formulation offers a hopeful environmentally friendly option for reducing microplastic pollution by utilizing both bio-coagulation and enzymatic-degradation processes concurrently. Keywords: Bio-coagulation, Chitosan, Enzymatic-degradation, Microplastics
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Utilization of chitosan as a natural coagulant for polyethylene microplastic removal
Scientists tested chitosan, a natural material derived from shellfish, as an eco-friendly way to remove polyethylene microplastics from water. Under the best conditions (pH 6.0 with 100 mg/L of chitosan), the treatment removed 81.5% of microplastics, offering a promising and environmentally safe approach to cleaning microplastic-contaminated water.
Coagulative removal of microplastics from aqueous matrices: Recent progresses and future perspectives
This review examines how coagulation, a common water treatment technique, can be used to remove microplastics from water. Researchers compared the effectiveness of different coagulants, finding that natural options like chitosan and protein-based coagulants achieved removal rates above 90 percent. The study highlights the promise of natural coagulants as a more sustainable approach to tackling microplastic contamination in water treatment systems.
Utilization of chicken eggshell and chitosan as coagulants for microplastic removal from aquatic system
This study tested chicken eggshell powder and chitosan as natural coagulants for removing microplastics from water, finding that both materials effectively aggregated plastic particles and settled them from suspension, offering low-cost and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic coagulants.
Synergistic removal of microplastic fibres using hybrid pre-treatment: evaluation of Chitosan as a green coagulant
Researchers evaluated the capacity of existing water treatment pre-treatment methods to remove microplastic fibers and investigated chitosan — a low-molecular-weight, 75-85% deacetylated green coagulant — as an alternative to conventional chemical coagulants. The study assessed a hybrid pre-treatment approach, finding synergistic microplastic fiber removal efficiency when chitosan was combined with existing processes.
Optimizing biocoagulant aid from shrimp shells (Litopenaeus vannamei) for enhancing microplastics removal from aqueous solutions
This study investigated chitosan derived from shrimp shell waste as a biocoagulant for removing microplastics from water, optimizing the coagulation-flocculation process to maximize particle capture. The results showed high removal efficiency, offering a biodegradable and sustainable approach to microplastic water treatment.