Potato Pulp as the Peroxidase Source for 2,4-Dichlorophenol Removal

Abstract

Recently it was reported that potato pulp, a side product of starch industry, is potentially applicable for the decontamination of phenol-polluted wastewater, due to its high peroxidase content. Regarding the toxicity and the persistence in the environment, the phenol is surpassed by its chlorinated derivatives, such as 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). In this study we demonstrated that potato pulp may be used for the decontamination of 2,4-DCP solutions in a peroxidase-catalyzed reaction. Due to its peroxidase activity, potato pulp displayed a very high potential for 2,4-DCP removal, with the reaction’s efficiency reaching 98% under optimal conditions. The peroxidase activity towards 2,4-DCP was maintained over a wide temperature and pH range, and characterized by relatively low H2O2 demand, with respect to other peroxidase-based systems of 2,4-DCP removal. The toxicity of the post-reaction solutions was compared to the toxicity of the unreacted 2,4-DCP solutions using phytotest and the MTT test. The results of both tests proved that the 2,4-DCP toxicity was effectively alleviated if the pollutant was depleted from solution in the course of the incubation with potato pulp and H2O2.