Chloroperoxidase-catalyzed degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater
AssigneeThe Florida International University Board of Trustees
InventorsXiaotang Wang, Qinghao He
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Abstract
The present invention provides efficient, economical, and environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for removing pollutants from water sources. In particular embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for catalyzing the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using the enzyme chloroperoxidase (CPO). Another embodiment provides a method of degrading pollutants in wastewater and other water sources. In specific embodiments, the claimed composition and method can be used to degrade pharmaceutical pollutants selected from the group consisting of: acetaminophen, carbamazepine, sulfamethazine, diclofenac, and naproxen.
Claims18
A method for degrading one or more pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater or another source of water having pharmaceutical pollutants therein, the method comprising:
- administering to the polluted wastewater or water source a composition comprising about 0.5 nM to about 50 nM chloroperoxidase and remedially-effective amounts of an oxidant and a halogen ion;
- allowing the composition to catalyze degradation of the one or more pharmaceutical pollutants within the wastewater or water source;
- and
- allowing the one or more pharmaceutical pollutants to become sufficiently degraded.
A method for degrading one or more of the pollutants acetaminophen, carbamazepine, sulfamethazine, diclofenac and naproxen present in wastewater, or another source of water, said method comprising:
- administering to the wastewater or water source a composition comprising about 0.1 nM to about 5.0 nM chloroperoxidase, about 0.3 mM to about 0.5 mM hydrogen peroxide, and about 20 mM of a halogen ion;
- allowing the composition to catalyze degradation of the pollutants within the wastewater or water source;
- and
- allowing the pollutants to become sufficiently degraded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.