Bio-catalytic performance and dye-based industrial pollutants degradation potential of agarose-immobilized MnP using a Packed Bed Reactor System

In this study, the matrix-entrapment technique was adopted to immobilize a novel manganese peroxidase (MnP). Agarose beads developed from 3.0% agarose concentration furnished the preeminent immobilization yield (92.76%). The immobilized MnP exhibited better resistance to changes in the pH and temperature as compared to the free counterpart, with optimal conditions being pH 6.0 and 45 °C. Thermal and storage stability characteristics were significantly improved after immobilization, and the immobilized-MnP displayed higher tolerance against different temperatures than free MnP state. After 72 h, the insolubilized MnP retained its activity up to 41.2 ± 1.7% and 33.6 ± 1.4% at 55 °C and 60 °C, respectively, and 34.3 ± 1.9% and 22.0 ± 1.1% activities at 65 °C and 70 °C, respectively, after 48 h of the incubation period. A considerable reusability profile was recorded with ten consecutive cycles. Moreover, to explore the industrial applicability, the agarose-immobilized-MnP was tested for bioremediation of textile industry effluent purposes. After six consecutive cycles, the tested effluents were decolorized to different extents (with a maximum of 98.4% decolorization). In conclusion, the remarkable bioremediation potential along with catalytic, thermo-stability, reusability, as well as storage stability features of the agarose-immobilized-MnP reflect its prospects as a biocatalyst for bioremediation and other industrial applications.