Enhancing catalytic performance of laccase via immobilization on chitosan/CeO2 microspheres

In this study, laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized onto chitosan/CeO2 microspheres (CCMS) by adsorption or covalent binding after activating the amine groups of chitosan with glutaraldehyde (GA). The results indicated that the laccase loading on chitosan/CeO2 microspheres was approximately 73 mg/g under the optimum conditions (pH 5.4, 6 h), and the activity recovery was 66.9%. In comparison with free laccase, the thermal and operational stabilities of the immobilized laccase were significantly improved. The catalytic activity of the immobilized laccase was also demonstrated by the decolorization of two reactive dyes (methyl red and orange II). The laccase immobilized on CCMS was very effective for the removal of textile dyes from an aqueous solution. The removal rates of methyl red and orange II by the immobilized laccase were 83.3% and 92.6%, respectively, which are much higher than that of free laccase (i.e., 49.0% and 67.1%, respectively).