Phenol removal by soluble and alginate entrapped turnip peroxidase

This paper is a comparative study of phenol biodegradation by soluble and alginate entrapped turnip (Brassica rapa) peroxidase. The effects of relevant factors on the process such as pH, temperature, concentration of H2O2, phenol concentration, enzyme activity and contact time were evaluated in order to optimize the conditions for maximum phenol removal.  Results showed that the obtained average removal yield under optimal conditions was 93%.  The process duration was 3 hours. The reaction is conducted in aqueous medium under optimal pH 7 and temperature of 40 °C. The highest removal percentage was obtained for phenol concentrations of 80 and 46 mg L-1 with soluble and entrapped enzyme respectively.