Evaluation of Basic blue 41 removal from aqueous solutions by laccase mediated system using response surface methodology

Dyes are one of the most important pollutants found in the sewage of many industries, including; textile, printing, wood and paper industries, tanning, cosmetics and are often toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and non-biodegradable.This study aimed to investigate the removal of Basic Blue41 (BB41) by the oxidation process by using laccase in presence of ABTS mediator.

The present study is an experimental in vitro study that investigated the main and interaction effects of three variables of pH, mediator concentration and laccase activity in three levels on BB41 removal efficiency by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), based on Box-Behnken design.

According to the results of the dye removal experiments, in the solution pH of
5, 0.2 mM of ABTS and the 0.2 U mL−1 of laccase, BB41 was not observed in the tested sample solution and the final solution was completely colorless. Also, the statistical analysis of the data obtained from the experiments and the results of the analysis of variance showed that the model was statistically significant (P-value < 0.0001) and could reliably predict BB41 removal efficiency by laccase enzyme.

This study found that laccase enzyme can be used to remove BB41 dye from aqueous solutions under optimum conditions designed by RSM.