Tyrosinase extract from Agaricus bisporus mushroom and its in natura tissue for specific phenol removal.

Phenols are toxic pollutants found in industrial wastes imposing several risks to human health. Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) is an oxygenase oxyreductase found in several life forms, like the mushroom Agaricus bisporus. This enzyme is readily available from this fungal tissue leading to high activity extracts without extensive purification, thus suggesting its potential as a biocatalyst for applications involving biomodification of phenols or bioremediation of phenol-polluted waters. The purpose of this work was to employ a crude extract from the Agaricus bisporus mushroom and its biomass for the removal of phenol from polluted water. Experiments were carried out without pH control. The initial phenol concentration in all solutions was 100 mg l(-1). Four enzymatic concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400 U ml(-1)) were tested. Reactions, with 200 U ml(-1) and 400 U ml(-1) enzymatic activity, led to 90% of phenol removal. Chitosan was used as a coagulant, but no significant improvement was observed. The in natura fungi was also able to remove 90% of phenol, demostrating its viability as a biocatalyst in bioremediation process.

Enzymatic synthesis of medium-chain triglycerides in a solvent-free system.

The synthesis of tricaprylin, tricaprin, trilaurin, and trimyristin in a solvent- free system was conducted by mixing a commercial immobilized lipase (Lipozyme IM 20, Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) with the organic reactants (glycerol and fatty acids) in a 20-mL batch reactor with constant stirring. In a first set of experiments, the effect of water concentration (0-6%) on the reaction conversion was shown to be negligible. In a second set of experiments, the effects of temperature (70-90 degrees C), fatty acid/glycerol molar ratio (1-5), and enzyme concentration (1-9% [w/w]) on the reaction conversion were determined by the application of a 3 x 3 experimental design. The reactions were carried out for 26 h and the nonpolar phase was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). Appreciable levels of medium-chain triglycerides were achieved, except for tricaprylin. For the triglyceride production, higher selectivity was attained under the following conditions: molar ratio of 5, enzyme concentration of 5 or 9% (w/w) and temperatures of 70 degrees C (tricaprin), 80 degrees C (trilaurin), and 90 degrees C (trimyristin). Statistical analysis indicated that the fatty acid/glycerol molar ratio was the most significant variable affecting the synthesis of triglycerides.