Formulation of a Chitosan-Laccase-Cutinase Composite for Bio-Coagulation and Enzymatic Degradation of Microplastics

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