Title: Environmental applications of enzymes

Authors: Jim A. Nicell

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2K6, Canada

Abstract: Enzymatic processes fall between the two traditional categories of chemical and biological treatment systems since they involve chemical reactions based on the action of biological catalysts. A variety of enzymes from plants and microorganisms have been reported to play important roles in an array of waste treatment applications. Before the full potential of enzymes may be realized, a number of significant issues remain to be addressed. These include: development of low-cost sources of enzymes in quantities that are required at the industrial scale; demonstration of the feasibility of utilizing the enzymes efficiently under the conditions encountered during wastewater treatment; characterization of reaction products and assessment of their impact on downstream processes or on the environment into which they are released; and identification of methods for the disposal of solid residues, among others.

Keywords: enzymes; waste treatment; wastewater treatment; reaction products; downstream processes; environmental impact; solid residues; waste disposal.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2001.053866

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2001 Vol.3 No.1, pp.14 - 41

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

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