The detection of phenol by using tyrosinase immobilized sodium alginate beads

Abstract

Phenol and its derivatives are common contaminants encountered in the effluents of various industries like petrochemical, coal conversion and phenol producing industries which is very hazardous to human health. It is therefore of utmost importance to detect and monitor the presence of phenol in water. We report the immobilization of the enzyme tyrosinase on sodium alginate to serve as a tool for the detection of phenol. The various operational parameters for immobilization of with respect to pH and loading of enzyme onto the sodium alginate beads have been optimized. The lowest detectable concentration of phenol by tyrosinase immobilized sodium alginate beads was observed to be 3 ppm.