Dye bleaching and phenol precipitation by phthalic anhydride-modified horseradish peroxidase

The phenol precipitation and dye bleaching capabilities of phthalic anhydride–modified horseradish peroxidase C (PA–HRP) were compared with those of native HRP C and ethylene glycol- bis-(succinic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester)–modified HRP (EG–HRP) reported previously. Removal efficiency (percentage of phenol removed from solution under experimental conditions) was determined for native HRP and both modified forms. Removal efficiencies at 37 °C were very similar, with >95% removal in each case. Removal efficiencies were less at 70 °C overall (range 25–45%) but PA–and EG–HRP removed up to 50% more phenol than native HRP. The three HRP forms showed similar dye bleaching performance at 37 °C in the presence of H<INF>2</INF>O<INF>2</INF> and accelerators (up to 86% colour removal). PA–and EG–HRP showed slightly greater bleaching abilities at 65 °C than native HRP for some of the dye/accelerator combinations tested. Modified HRPs performed better in 40% (v/v) mixtures of dioxane or dimethylformamide. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry