Hemin-modified crosslinked glucose oxidase aggregates for efficient degradation of tetracycline and detection of phenol derivatives

Abstract

The removal of antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater is of paramount importance from an environmental point of view. Although various techniques have been developed, it is still highly demanded to develop environmentally benign approaches that can make better use of chemicals in pharmaceutical wastewater for chemoenzymatic processes. Here we combine glucose oxidase (GOx) and hemin toward chemoenzymatic cascades for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) and the detection of phenol derivatives. Hemin was covalently attached to pre-crosslinked GOx aggregates through the Ugi four-component reaction, which could further crosslink the aggregates. The close proximity between GOx and hemin enables the rapid consumption of H₂O₂ generated from the oxidation of glucose. This consumption prevents the accumulation of H₂O₂ and in turn overcomes activity inhibition. The structure-activity relationship of hemin-modified crosslinked GOx aggregates (HCGOAs) was systematically investigated. They displayed excellent catalytic performance in the degradation of TC and the detection of phenol and bisphenol A. The HCGOAs are promising for pharmaceutical wastewater treatments.