Biocatalytic removal of bisphenol A using laccase immobilized on jellyfish-based electrospun nanofiber mats

In this study, jellyfish-derived biopolymers were incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrices to fabricate novel electrospun nanofiber supports (JF-NanoMats) for laccase immobilization. Four nanofiber formulations (PVA, PVA/JF₅, PVA/JF₂₅, and PVA/JF₅₀) were synthesized and characterized via FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DSC analyses. The FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of protein-related functional groups in JF-containing nanofibers and revealed spectral shifts indicative of intermolecular interactions between PVA and jellyfish biopolymers. Among the composites, PVA/JF₂₅ displayed superior morphological and thermal properties, including higher porosity and stability, rendering it the most effective support for enzyme immobilization. Laccase was immobilized on nanofiber mats using a standardized protocol to ensure experimental consistency across all samples. Comparative BPA degradation experiments were then performed under identical reaction conditions (pH 4.5, 35 °C), matching the optimal catalytic environment for free laccase. Results demonstrated that all immobilized systems significantly outperformed the free enzyme in terms of degradation efficiency, substrate tolerance, and operational stability. Specifically, the PVA/JF₂₅ system achieved complete BPA removal (100 %) within 120 min and retained over 50 % of its activity after 10 reuse cycles. This study presents an eco-friendly approach for valorizing jellyfish biomass into functional biopolymeric supports and offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance, recyclable nanofiber-based biocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.