Removal of Bisphenol A by Laccase Rich Extracts from Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius: Evaluation of Degradation Products and Pathways

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor compound that is continuously released into the environment and is barely degraded in wastewater treatment plants. In this work, laccases from Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pumonarius were used to degrade BPA in aqueous solution and the degradation products were identified. The residual BPA was quantified by HPLC and the BPA metabolites produced by action of the laccases were identified by GC-MS. After 2 hours reaction BPA could no longer be detected. BPA and more 14 degradation products could be identified by GC-MS after the action of both laccases at different reaction times. Only the degradation product p-hydroxybenzoic acid was found to be more toxic than BPA and was produced by P. pulmonarius laccase. Therefore, only the P.ostreatus laccase seems to be appropriate for being used in BPA detoxification.