Enzymatic reduction of azo and indigoid compounds

A customer- and environment-friendly method for the decolorization azo dyes was developed. Azoreductases could be used both to bleach hair dyed with azo dyes and to reduce dyes in vat dyeing of textiles. A new reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent azoreductase of Bacillus cereus, which showed high potential for reduction of these dyes, was purified using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography and had a molecular mass of 21.5 kDa. The optimum pH of the azoreductase depended on the substrate and was within the range of pH 6 to 7, while the maximum temperature was reached at 40°C. Oxygen was shown to be an alternative electron acceptor to azo compounds and must therefore be excluded during enzymatic dye reduction. Biotransformation of the azo dyes Flame Orange and Ruby Red was studied in more detail using UV-visible spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry (MS). Reduction of the azo bonds leads to cleavage of the dyes resulting in the cleavage product 2-amino-1,3 dimethylimidazolium and N∼1∼,N∼1∼-dimethyl-1,4-benzenediamine for Ruby Red, while only the first was detected for Flame Orange because of MS instability of the expected 1,4-benzenediamine. The azoreductase was also found to reduce vat dyes like Indigo Carmine (C.I. Acid Blue 74). Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an oxidizing agent was used to reoxidize the dye into the initial form. The reduction and oxidation mechanism of Indigo Carmine was studied using UV-visible spectroscopy.     

Effective bioremoval and detoxification of textile dye mixture by Alishewanella sp. KMK6

Alishewanella sp. strain KMK6 was able to degrade mixture of textile dyes (0.5–2.0 g?l^?1) within 8 h. An initial 28 % reduction in COD was observed immediately after decolorization at static anoxic conditions which on further incubation at shaking conditions reduced by 90 %. Partially purified azoreductase was able to utilize different azo dyes as substrates. The HPLC profile of dye degradation showed formation of metabolic products. Further FTIR analysis showed significant changes in the peaks corresponding to functional groups present in dye mixture and its degradation products. The genotoxicity assessment showed that the dye degradation products were non-toxic compared to dye mixture.     

Comparison of the azoreductase and nitroreductase from Clostridium perfringens.

The purified azoreductase and nitroreductase of Clostridium perfringens, which have similar electrophoretic properties, both reacted in a Western blot (immunoblot) with a polyclonal antibody raised against the azoreductase. The activity of both enzymes was enhanced by flavin adenine dinucleotide and was inhibited by menadione, o-iodosobenzoic acid, and the antibody against azoreductase. Reduction of the azo dye Direct Blue 15 by the azoreductase was inhibited by nitroaromatic compounds. The apparent Km of the enzyme for reduction of Direct Blue 15 in the presence of 1-nitropyrene was higher than the Km with the azo dye alone, demonstrating competitive inhibition. The data show that the same protein is involved in the reduction of both azo dyes and nitroaromatic compounds.     

Decolorization of azo dyes by marine Shewanella strains under saline conditions

Azo dye decolorization was studied with Shewanella strains under saline conditions. Growing cells of Shewanella algae and Shewanella marisflavi isolated from marine environments demonstrated better azo dye decolorization capacities than the other three strains from non-saline sources. Cell suspensions of S. algae and S. marisflavi could decolorize single or mixed azo dyes with different structures. Decolorization kinetics were described with Michaelis–Menton equation, which indicated better decolorization performance of S. algae over S. marisflavi. Lactate and formate were identified as efficient electron donors for amaranth decolorization by the two strains. S. algae and S. marisflavi could decolorize amaranth at up to 100 g?L^?1 NaCl or Na₂SO₄. However, extremely low concentration of NaNO₃ exerted strong inhibition on decolorization. Both strains could remove the color and COD of textile effluent during sequential anaerobic–aerobic incubation. Lower concentrations of NaCl (20–30 g?L^?1) stimulated the activities of azoreductase, laccase, and NADH-DCIP reductase. The decolorization intermediates were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Decolorization metabolites of amaranth were less toxic than original dye. These findings improved our knowledge of azo-dye-decolorizing Shewanella species and provided efficient candidates for the treatment of dye-polluted saline wastewaters.     

A New Alkali-Thermostable Azoreductase from Bacillus sp. Strain SF

A screening for dye-decolorizing alkali-thermophilic microorganisms resulted in a Bacillus sp. strain isolated out of the wastewater drain of a textile finishing company. An NADH-dependent azoreductase of this strain, Bacillus sp. strain SF, was found to be responsible for the decolorization of azo dyes. This enzyme was purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion-exchange and affinity chromatography and had a molecular mass of 61.6 kDa and an isoelectric point at pH 5.3. The pH optimum of the azoreductase depended on the substrate and was within the range of pHs 8 to 9, while the temperature maximum was reached at 80°C. Decolorization only took place in the absence of oxygen and was enhanced by FAD, which was not consumed during the reaction. A 26% similarity of this azoreductase to chaperonin Cpn60 from a Bacillus sp. was found by peptide mass mapping experiments. Substrate specificities of the azoreductase were studied by using synthesized model substrates based on di-sodium-(R)-benzyl-azo-2,7-dihydroxy-3,6-disulfonyl-naphthaline. Those dyes with NO₂ substituents, especially in the ortho position, were degraded fastest, while analogues with a methyl substitution showed the lowest degradation rates.     

Identification, Isolation and characterization of a novel azoreductase from Clostridium perfringens

Azo dyes are used widely in the textile, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries as colorants and are often sources of environmental pollution. There are many microorganisms that are able to reduce azo dyes by use of an azoreductase enzyme. It is through the reduction of the azo bonds of the dyes that carcinogenic metabolites are produced thereby a concern for human health. The field of research on azoreductases is growing, but there is very little information available on azoreductases from strict anaerobic bacteria. In this study, the azoreductase gene was identified in Clostridium perfringens, a pathogen that is commonly found in the human intestinal tract. C. perfringens shows high azoreductase activity, especially in the presence of the common dye Direct Blue 15. A gene that encodes for a flavoprotein was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli, and further purified and tested for azoreductase activity. The azoreductase (known as AzoC) was characterized by enzymatic reaction assays using different dyes. AzoC activity was highest in the presence of two cofactors, NADH and FAD. A strong cofactor effect was shown with some dyes, as dye reduction occurred without the presence of the AzoC (cofactors alone). AzoC was shown to perform best at a pH of 9, at room temperature, and in an anaerobic environment. Enzyme kinetics studies suggested that the association between enzyme and substrate is strong. Our results show that AzoC from C. perfringens has azoreductase activity.     

Probing the NADH- and Methyl Red-binding site of a FMN-dependent azoreductase (AzoA) from Enterococcus faecalis

AzoA from Enterococcus faecalis is a member of the polymeric flavin-dependent NADH-preferred azoreductase group. Little is known about the binding and interaction of NADH and azo dye in the azoreductase group. A synergetic strategy based on computational prediction, reverse genetics validation coupled with site-directed mutagenesis, and reconstruction of mutation network was used to investigate the binding and interaction of NADH and a model azo dye, Methyl Red, with AzoA. Methyl Red and NADH interacted in a unique binding mode in which the benzoic acid moiety of Methyl Red and the nicotinamide ring of NADH were not parallel to the flavin isoalloxazine ring, but lay against it at angles of ～45° and ～35°, respectively. The adenine ribose moiety of NADH was surrounded by loop ?2 on chain B and α3 on chain A in a typical Rossmann fold. There were 12 and 19 amino acid residues that could participate in the binding of Methyl Red and NADH, respectively, especially the residues Tyr-129 and Asp-184. The functional perturbation effects of 13 residues, including Tyr-129 and Asp-184, were mapped to reconstruct the mutation network, which confirmed the proposed binding modes and also provided insights into the interaction among NADH, FMN and Methyl Red.     

Enzymatic transformation of nitro-aromatic compounds by a flavin-free NADH azoreductase from Lysinibacillus sphaericus

Azo dyes and nitro-aromatic compounds are the largest group of pollutants released in the environment as industrial wastes. They create serious health and environmental problems. Azoreductases catalyze the reduction of azo dyes and nitro compounds to their respective amines. AN azoreductase was purified up to 12-fold from Lysinibacillus sphaericus using ion-exchange and size exclusion chromatography. It was optimally active at pH 7.4 and 75 °C. It was stable at 70 °C for 30 min. The purified enzyme utilized NADH rather than NADPH as an electron donor to reduce substrates. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was ~29 kDa. The enzyme also acted as nitroreductase and could selectively reduce the nitro group of 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrobenzoic acid, 2-nitro-benzaldehyde and 3-nitrophenol. Reduction products of these compounds were identified by IR and NMR.     

Characteristics and purification of an oxygen insensitive azoreductase from Caulobacter subvibrioides strain C7-D

An azo dye-degrading bacterium, Caulobacter subvibrioides strain C7-D, semi-constitutively produces an azoreductase that reduced the azo bond of the dyes Acid Orange (AO) 6, AO7, AO8, AO12, Acid Red (AR) 88, AR151, and Methyl Red (MR). This activity was oxygen insensitive. Of the dyes tested, AO7 was the best inducer and the most rapidly reduced substrate suggesting that dye AO7 most closely mimics the natural physiological substrate for this enzyme. The K _m for AO7 was 1 μM. Purification of the azoreductase from C. subvibrioides strain C7-D was achieved through dye-ligand affinity chromatography using the dye Orange-A covalently coupled to an agarose support. The azoreductase is approximately 30 kDa and enzyme studies indicate a single azoreductase. The optimal activity, pH, cofactor usage, substrate specificity, molecular weight and K _m characteristics of the enzyme set it apart from other known oxygen-insensitive azoreductases. Received 18 May 1999/ Accepted in revised form 13 July 1999     

Purification and partial characterization of NAD aminohydrolase from Aspergillus oryzae NRRL447

Aspergillus oryzae aminohydrolase free acid phosphodiesterase catalyzes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to deamino-NAD and ammonia. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a combination of acetone precipitation, anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme was purified 230.5 fold. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band of MW 94 kDa. The enzyme displayed maximum activity at pH 5 and 40 °C with NAD as substrate. The enzyme activity appeared to be stable up to 40 °C. The enzyme activity was enhanced slightly by addition of Na⁺ and K⁺, whereas inhibited strongly by addition of Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ to the reaction mixtures. The enzyme hydrolyzes several substrates, suggesting a probable non-specific nature. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of amino group of NAD, adenosine, AMP, CMP, GMP, adenosine, cytidine and cytosine to the corresponding nucleotides, nucleosides or bases and ammonia. The substrate concentration–activity relationship is the hyperbolic type and the apparent K_m and K_cat for the tested substrates were calculated.     

Azoreductase activity of anaerobic bacteria isolated from human intestinal microflora.

A plate assay was developed for the detection of anaerobic bacteria that produce azoreductases. With this plate assay, 10 strains of anaerobic bacteria capable of reducing azo dyes were isolated from human feces and identified as Eubacterium hadrum (2 strains), Eubacterium spp. (2 species), Clostridium clostridiiforme, a Butyrivibrio sp., a Bacteroides sp., Clostridium paraputrificum, Clostridium nexile, and a Clostridium sp. The average rate of reduction of Direct Blue 15 dye (a dimethoxybenzidine-based dye) in these strains ranged from 16 to 135 nmol of dye per min per mg of protein. The enzymes were inactivated by oxygen. In seven isolates, a flavin compound (riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide, or flavin mononucleotide) was required for azoreductase activity. In the other three isolates and in Clostridium perfringens, no added flavin was required for activity. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that each bacterium expressed only one azoreductase isozyme. At least three types of azoreductase enzyme were produced by the different isolates. All of the azoreductases were produced constitutively and released extracellularly.     

Oxidative degradation of Amaranth dye by a new genus Kerstersia sp.

A dye-decolorizing bacterium was isolated from a coconut coir sample and identified as a new genus Kerstersia sp. by various biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This bacterium was capable of degrading sulfonated azo dye Amaranth aerobically at 40?°C and pH 7.0. Tests conducted on intracellular crude enzyme extract identified an oxygen insensitive azoreductase. The optimum dye-decolorizing activity at pH 7.0 and 40?°C for the decolorization of dye was 0.091?U mL^?1 (μ_max 0.522?mg h^?1). The K_s 104.51?μM^?1 has been evaluated by plotting Lineweaver–Burk plot for the Amaranth dye. The dye degraded products were extracted and characterized by TLC, diazotization and Carbylamines test, which indicated that Amaranth was biotransformed into non-toxic aromatic metabolite without amine group.     

Further chemical characterization and biological activities of fluorescent I,N6-ethenoadenosine derivatives

The fluorescent 1,N⁶-ethenoadenosine derivatives of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, 3′:5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, adenosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide have been prepared. Paper and thin layer chromatographic purification methods have been developed. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrum data indicate that only the purine ring has been modified.The 1,N⁶-ethenoadenosine triphosphate had about 70% of the activity of adenosine triphosphate as a substrate for total adenosine triphosphatase activity of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes. The 1,N⁶-ethenoadenosine diphosphate had about 86% of the activity of adenosine diphosphate as a substrate for adenosine diphosphatase of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes. The 1,N⁶-etheno derivative of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide had about 8% of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase and about 54% of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pyrophosphatase of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes.K_m's for the ATPase, ADPase and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase using ε-ATP and ε-ADP and ε-NAD as substrates are presented.     

Azoreductase activity of anaerobic bacteria isolated from human intestinal microflora

A plate assay was developed for the detection of anaerobic bacteria that produce azoreductases. With this plate assay, 10 strains of anaerobic bacteria capable of reducing azo dyes were isolated from human feces and identified as Eubacterium hadrum (2 strains), Eubacterium spp. (2 species), Clostridium clostridiiforme, a Butyrivibrio sp., a Bacteroides sp., Clostridium paraputrificum, Clostridium nexile, and a Clostridium sp. The average rate of reduction of Direct Blue 15 dye (a dimethoxybenzidine-based dye) in these strains ranged from 16 to 135 nmol of dye per min per mg of protein. The enzymes were inactivated by oxygen. In seven isolates, a flavin compound (riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide, or flavin mononucleotide) was required for azoreductase activity. In the other three isolates and in Clostridium perfringens, no added flavin was required for activity. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that each bacterium expressed only one azoreductase isozyme. At least three types of azoreductase enzyme were produced by the different isolates. All of the azoreductases were produced constitutively and released extracellularly.     

Bacterial Decolorization of Azo Dyes by Rhodopseudomonas palustris

Summary The ability of Rhodopseudomonas palustris AS1.2352 possessing azoreductase activity to decolorize azo dyes was investigated. It was demonstrated that anaerobic conditions were necessary for bacterial decolorization, and the optimal pH and temperature were pH 8 and 30–35 °C, respectively. Decolorization of dyes with different molecular structures was performed to compare their degradability. The strain could decolorize azo dye up to 1250 mg l⁻¹, and the correlation between the specific decolorization rate and dye concentration could be described by Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Long-term repeated operations showed that the strain was stable and efficient during five runs. Cell extracts from the strain demonstrated oxygen-insensitive azoreductase activity in vitro.     

Aerobic biodegradation of Azo dye by Bacillus cohnii MTCC 3616; an obligately alkaliphilic bacterium and toxicity evaluation of metabolites by different bioassay systems

An obligate alkaliphilic bacterium Bacillus cohnii MTCC 3616 aerobically decolorized a textile azo dye Direct Red-22 (5,000 mg?l^?1) with 95 % efficiency at 37 °C and pH?9 in 4 h under static conditions. The decolorization of Direct Red-22 (DR-22) was possible through a broad pH (7–11), temperature (10–45 °C), salinity (1–7 %), and dye concentration (5–10 g?l^?1) range. Decolorization of dye was assessed by UV–vis spectrophotometer with reduction of peak intensity at 549 nm (λ _max). Biodegradation of dye was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The FTIR spectrum revealed that B. cohnii specifically targeted azo bond (N=N) at 1,614.42 cm^?1 to break down Direct Red-22. Formation of metabolites with different retention times in HPLC analysis further confirmed the degradation of dye. The phytotoxicity test with 5,000 mg?l^?1 of untreated dye showed 80 % germination inhibition in Vigna mungo, 70 % in Sorghum bicolor and 80 % in Vigna radiata. No germination inhibition was noticed in all three plants by DR-22 metabolites at 5,000 mg?l^?1. Biotoxicity test with Artemia salina proved the lethality of the azo dye at LC₅₀ of 4 and 8 % for degraded metabolites by causing death of its nauplii compared to its less toxic-degraded metabolites. Bioaccumulation of dye was observed in the mid-gut of A. salina. The cytogenotoxicity assay on the meristematic root tip cells of Allium cepa further confirmed the cytotoxic nature of azo dye (DR-22) with decrease in mitotic index (0.5 % at 500 ppm) and increase in aberrant index (4.56 %) over 4-h exposure period. Genotoxic damages (lagging chromosome, metaphase cluster, chromosome bridges, and dye accumulation in cytoplasm) were noticed at different stages of cell cycle. The degraded metabolites had negligible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects.     

Molecular determinants of azo reduction activity in the strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> MET94

Azo dyes are the major group of synthetic colourants used in industry and are serious environmental pollutants. In this study, Pseudomonas putida MET94 was selected from 48 bacterial strains on the basis of its superior ability to degrade a wide range of structurally diverse azo dyes. P. putida is a versatile microorganism with a well-recognised potential for biodegradation or bioremediation applications. P. putida MET94 removes, in 24 h and under anaerobic growing conditions, more than 80% of the majority of the structurally diverse azo dyes tested. Whole cell assays performed under anaerobic conditions revealed up to 90% decolourisation in dye wastewater bath models. The involvement of a FMN dependent NADPH: dye oxidoreductase in the decolourisation process was suggested by enzymatic measurements in cell crude extracts. The gene encoding a putative azoreductase was cloned from P. putida MET94 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified P. putida azoreductase is a 40 kDa homodimer with broad substrate specificity for azo dye reduction. The presence of dioxygen leads to the inhibition of the decolourisation activity in agreement with the results of cell cultures. The kinetic mechanism follows a ping-pong bi–bi reaction scheme and aromatic amine products were detected in stoichiometric amounts by high-performance liquid chromatography. Overall, the results indicate that P. putida MET94 is a promising candidate for bioengineering studies aimed at generating more effective dye-reducing strains.     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the Gene Coding for the Aerobic Azoreductase from Xenophilus azovorans KF46F

The gene coding for an aerobic azoreductase was cloned from Xenophilus azovorans KF46F (formerly Pseudomonas sp. strain KF46F), which was previously shown to grow with the carboxylated azo compound 1-(4′-carboxyphenylazo)-2-naphthol (carboxy-Orange II) as the sole source of carbon and energy. The deduced amino acid sequence encoded a protein with a molecular weight of 30,278 and showed no significant homology to amino acid sequences currently deposited at the relevant data bases. A presumed NAD(P)H-binding site was identified in the amino-terminal region of the azoreductase. The enzyme was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and the azoreductase activities of resting cells and cell extracts were compared. The results suggested that whole cells of the recombinant E. coli strains were unable to take up sulfonated azo dyes and therefore did not show in vivo azoreductase activity. The turnover of several industrially relevant azo dyes by cell extracts from the recombinant E. coli strain was demonstrated.     

STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF SYNTHETIC AZO DYE (ORANGE II) DEGRADATION BY AZOREDUCTASE FROM Pseudomonas oleovorans PAMD_1

Pseudomonas oleovorans PAMD_1 produced an intracellular azoreductase as the more prominent enzyme that reduces the azo bridge during the azo dye decolorization process. In order to optimize the expression of azoreductase, statistically based experiments were applied. Eleven significant factors were screened on decolorization activity using Plackett–Burman design. Dye, NADH, glucose, and peptone were identified as having highest positive influence on the decolorization activity. Central composite design of response surface methodology was employed for the concerted effect of these four factors on decolorization activity. This method showed that the optimum medium containing dye (200 mg L^?1), NADH (1.14 mM), glucose (2.07 g L^?1), and peptone (6.44 g L^?1) for the decolorization of Orange II up to 87% in 48 hr. The applied methodology was validated through the adequacy and accuracy of the overall experiments, and the results proved that the applied methods were most effective. Further, the enzyme was purified ninefold with 16% yield by anion-exchange chromatography and a specific activity of 26 U mg^?1. The purified enzyme with a molecular mass of 29,000 Da gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel, and the degradation products sulfanilic acid and 1-amino-2-napthol of Orange II by azoreductase were analyzed by using an ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and hish-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).     

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from a Higher Plant: Isolation and Characterization 1

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase was extracted from etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings and was purified 65-fold. The purified enzyme exhibits one predominant protein band by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which corresponds to the dehydrogenase activity as measured by the nitro blue tetrazolium technique. The reaction is readily reversible, the pH optima for the forward (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduction) and reverse reactions being 8.4 and 6.0, respectively. The enzyme has different cofactor and inhibitor characteristics in the two directions. Manganese ions can be used as a cofactor for the reaction in each direction but magnesium ions only act as a cofactor in the forward reaction. Zinc ions, and to a lesser extent calcium ions, inhibit the enzyme at low concentrations when magnesium but not manganese is the metal activator. It is suggested that there is a fundamental difference between magnesium and manganese in the activation of the enzyme. The enzyme shows normal kinetics and the Michaelis contant for each substrate was determined. The inhibition by nucleotides, nucleosides, reaction products, and related compounds was studied. The enzyme shows a linear response to the mole fraction of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate when total nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate plus reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is kept constant. Isocitrate in the presence of divalent metal ions will protect the enzyme from inactivation by p-chloromercuribenzoate. Protection is also afforded by manganese ions alone but not by magnesium ions alone There is a concerted inhibition of the enzyme by oxalacetate and glyoxylate.