Enzyme formulation and method for degradation

Abstract

An enzyme formulation includes an encapsulated fungal enzyme which is effective for degrading at least one material selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, vulcanized rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, vulcanized polymers and perfluorinated compounds. A degradation method includes treating one of the above-mentioned materials with an encapsulated fungal enzyme to degrade the material.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An enzyme formulation comprising a suite of enzymes comprising manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase, ABTS, H 2 O 2 , and veratryl alcohol in a cross-linked hydrogel matrix. 
     
     
         26 . The formulation of claim  1  in the form of beads and wherein the hydrogel matrix comprises manganese. 
     
     
         27 . The formulation of claim  2  wherein the beads have a diameter within a range of from about 1.5 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The formulation of claim  1  wherein the cross-linked hydrogel comprises calcium alginate, manganese alginate, zirconium alginate, calcium poly(aspartate), manganese poly(aspartate) or zirconium poly(aspartate). 
     
     
         29 . The formulation of claim  1  dispersed onto soil. 
     
     
         30 . A method of making an enzyme formulation, comprising:
 providing a solution comprising:   a suite of enzymes comprising manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase,   a cross-linked hydrogel,   ABTS, and   veratryl alcohol; and   adding the solution dropwise to a bath of crosslinkers.   
     
     
         31 . The method of claim  6  wherein the bath is a stirred bath comprising MnCl 2 , CaCl 2  and BaCl 2 . 
     
     
         32 . The method of claim  7  wherein the bath is a stirred bath comprising MnCl 2 . 
     
     
         33 . A method of degrading a material, comprising:
 treating the material with the formulation of claim  1 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, vulcanized rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, vulcanized polymers and perfluorinated compounds.   
     
     
         34 . The method of claim  9  wherein the hydrocarbons include total petroleum hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         35 . The method of claim  9  wherein the hydrocarbons include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         36 . The method of claim  9  which includes remediating a soil contaminated with the material.