Biodegradation of Oxytetracycline by Using Laccase Entrapped in Mesoporous Silica Microparticles

This study evaluates the catalytic efficiency of free laccase and laccase entrapped in mesoporous silica microparticles (LSM) for the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) in aqueous media. The LSM system demonstrated a degradation efficiency of up to 82% within 24 hours, outperforming the free enzyme in terms of pH tolerance and operational stability. Temperature-dependent experiments revealed that degradation at elevated temperatures was primarily due to OTC thermal instability rather than enzymatic activity. Furthermore, LSM retained approximately 90% of its degradation capacity after seven reuse cycles, indicating strong potential for repeated application. These findings underscore the applicability of LSM as a robust biocatalyst for antibiotic remediation in water treatment systems.