N-demethylation of methylene blue by lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Stoichiometric relation for H2O2 consumption

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2000 Spring:84-86:255-65. doi: 10.1385/abab:84-86:1-9:255.

Abstract

Phanerochaete chrysosporium lignin peroxidase (LiP) can degrade synthetic dyes such as heterocyclic, azo, and triphenylmethane on its activation by H2O2. Analysis of the reaction products indicated that N-demethylation reactions are involved in the degradation of crystal violet and methylene blue (MB). We studied LiP oxidation of methylene blue and azure B (AB) in reaction mixtures containing different dye:H2O2 stoichiometric relations aiming at the selective formation of N-demethylated derivatives. High yields, about 70%, of the mono- and didemethylated derivatives, azure B and azure A, were obtained with the use of 1:1 and 1:2 MB:H2O2, respectively. Using azure B as substrate in reaction mixtures containing 1:1 AB:H2O2, a yield of 70% was also observed in azure A. Reaction mixtures containing 1:3 MB:H2O2 and 1:2 AB:H2O2, originated several oxidation products in similar proportions. These results indicated that the process of enzymatic degradation of methylene blue and azure B initiates via N(CH3)2 oxidation. According to the yields that were obtained for azure B and azure A, this enzymatic route can be used for the synthesis of these dyes since these data compare favorably to the chemical route that has a yield of 35%. The use of a dye:H2O2 relation of 1:10 resulted in a decoloration level of about 85%, showing the usefulness of this procedure for wastewater treatment. The reaction products were followed by spectrophotometric analysis within the wavelength of 500-700 nm. The product identifications were performed using a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) C-18 column and thin-layer chromatography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Gentian Violet / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Methylene Blue / metabolism*
  • Peroxidases / metabolism*
  • Phanerochaete / enzymology*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Peroxidases
  • lignin peroxidase
  • Gentian Violet
  • Methylene Blue