Phosphate and arsenate removal efficiency by thermostable ferritin enzyme from Pyrococcus furiosus using
Ana-Maria Sevcenco1, Monica Paravidino2, Johannes S Vrouwenvelder3
1Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands; BiAqua B.V., Schipholweg 275, 1171 PK Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Oxo-anion binding properties of the thermostable enzyme ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus were characterized with radiography. Radioisotopes (32)P and (76)As present as oxoanions were used to measure the extent and the rate of their absorption by the ferritin. Thermostable ferritin proved to be an excellent system for rapid phosphate and arsenate removal from aqueous solutions down to residual concentrations at the picomolar level. These very low concentrations make thermostable ferritin a potential tool to considerably mitigate industrial biofouling by phosphate limitation or to remove arsenate from drinking water.
