Production of a Recombinant Catechol 2,3-Dioxygenase for the Degradation of Micropollutants

2017

Phenolic compounds such as catechol represent a particular type of micropollutant whose high stability prevents rapid decay and metabolization in the environment. We successfully cloned a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C2,3O) from Pseudomonas putida mt-2 and expressed it in Escherichia coli BER2566. The biomass isolated from shake-flask fermentations was used to partially purify the enzyme. The enzyme proved unstable in clarified liquid fractions (50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.6) and lost more than 90% of its activity over 7 h at 25 °C. In the presence of 10% acetone, the process was slowed down and 30% residual activity was still present after 7 h incubation. Storage of the enzyme in clear liquid fr…