Chapter 16
Enzyme-Based Nanomaterials
in Bioremediation
Monika Čvančarová, Patrick Shahgaldian, and Philippe F.-X. Corvini
Abstract The combination of enzymes and nanomaterials represents an innovative
technology that can be used in the field of environmental bioremediation. Various
biologically active molecules can be effectively immobilized onto nanomaterials,
which are considered very interesting matrices because of their unique physicochemical properties. Nanoparticles are carriers that have been intensively investigated because of their potential to produce nanobiocatalysts. Currently, the
development of novel hybrid nanocomposites such as nanographene, nanotubes,
nanofibers, and nanogels is significantly increasing. In the first part of this chapter,
importance and advantages of enzyme immobilization, properties of free enzymes,
and parameters influencing the immobilization processes are discussed. Description
of different types of nanomaterials and the corresponding immobilization techniques
such as adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, encapsulation, and cross-linking is
also involved. The second part of this chapter is about degradation of various
pollutants including phenolic compounds, synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and
PAHs by nanobiocatalysts. Many studies have been published over the past
5 years, which indicates an increasing interest in this application. The most important
parameters and results of the published papers have been reviewed and organized in
a comprehensive table. It is obvious that the utilization of nanobiocatalysts for
remediating contaminated wastewater and soil is still under development. However,
enzyme-based nanomaterials found an interesting application in the field of biosensors, which is described at the end of this chapter. Nanobiosensors are rapidly
developing and more and more often used for detecting and monitoring various
pollutants in the environment.
M. Čvančarová (*) · P. F.-X. Corvini
Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
e-mail: monika.cvancarova@fhnw.ch
P. Shahgaldian
Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied
Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
J. Filip et al. (eds.), Advanced Nano-Bio Technologies for Water and Soil Treatment,
Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29840-1_16
345
Enzyme-Based Nanomaterials
in Bioremediation
Monika Čvančarová, Patrick Shahgaldian, and Philippe F.-X. Corvini
Abstract The combination of enzymes and nanomaterials represents an innovative
technology that can be used in the field of environmental bioremediation. Various
biologically active molecules can be effectively immobilized onto nanomaterials,
which are considered very interesting matrices because of their unique physicochemical properties. Nanoparticles are carriers that have been intensively investigated because of their potential to produce nanobiocatalysts. Currently, the
development of novel hybrid nanocomposites such as nanographene, nanotubes,
nanofibers, and nanogels is significantly increasing. In the first part of this chapter,
importance and advantages of enzyme immobilization, properties of free enzymes,
and parameters influencing the immobilization processes are discussed. Description
of different types of nanomaterials and the corresponding immobilization techniques
such as adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, encapsulation, and cross-linking is
also involved. The second part of this chapter is about degradation of various
pollutants including phenolic compounds, synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and
PAHs by nanobiocatalysts. Many studies have been published over the past
5 years, which indicates an increasing interest in this application. The most important
parameters and results of the published papers have been reviewed and organized in
a comprehensive table. It is obvious that the utilization of nanobiocatalysts for
remediating contaminated wastewater and soil is still under development. However,
enzyme-based nanomaterials found an interesting application in the field of biosensors, which is described at the end of this chapter. Nanobiosensors are rapidly
developing and more and more often used for detecting and monitoring various
pollutants in the environment.
M. Čvančarová (*) · P. F.-X. Corvini
Institute for Ecopreneurship, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
e-mail: monika.cvancarova@fhnw.ch
P. Shahgaldian
Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied
Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
J. Filip et al. (eds.), Advanced Nano-Bio Technologies for Water and Soil Treatment,
Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29840-1_16
345