Removal characteristics of endocrine-disrupting chemicals by laccase from white-rot fungi

Laccase from 5 white-rot fungal strains (4 Trametes and 1 Pycnoporus strains) were evaluated in the removal spectra with/without mediators against 11 EDCs. Purified laccase from Trametes sp. was also used to reveal the precise degradation spectra and degradation profiles in time course against 20 EDCs with/without mediators. In addition, effectivity of laccase for the purification of complex EDCs contamination was evaluated combining several EDCs. The removal characteristics among tested strains were almost the same and crude/purified laccase could remove various EDCs. Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone, diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), pyrene (PY), anthracene, 3,5-dichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol could not be removed by laccase. DEHP and PY could not be removed even with mediators. Vanillin and vanillic acid revealed to be possible naturally occurring mediators. Laccase-mediator system could expand the degradation spectrum and enhance the EDCs removal ratio and rate. When complex mixtures of EDCs were treated with laccase, the removal ratio was enhanced in comparison to that of single application. Some coexisting EDCs could act as mediators. Thus, the availability of laccase and the effectivity of a mediator on EDCs treatment were indicated.