Microbial Lipase Innovation: A Green Solution for Oily Wastewater
Oily wastewater in Indonesia is a serious problem that can affect the environment, public health, and economic sustainability.
Many industries produce oily wastewater, such as the oil and gas industry, shipping and maritime industries, food processing, restaurants, and hospitality sectors.
Oil spills at sea and used cooking oil dumped into drainage systems also contribute to the increasing amount of oily wastewater in the environment. Oily waste can cause negative impacts if not properly managed, including: pollution of rivers, lakes, seas, and soil, which can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, reduce soil fertility, and affect human health.
Several large industries already have wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or collaborate with third parties to treat oily wastewater according to established standards. This complies with Government Regulation No. 101 of 2014 on the management of hazardous and toxic waste (B3 waste), where oily wastewater is categorized as B3 waste, and the Minister of Environment Regulation No. 5 of 2014 on wastewater quality standards.
However, due to limited wastewater treatment facilities, weak supervision, lack of regulatory compliance, high wastewater treatment costs, and lack of public awareness, businesses and the community may dump oily waste directly into rivers, seas, or soil without prior treatment.
Therefore, to improve oily wastewater management in Indonesia, the government can conduct public education on the negative impacts of oily waste, improve infrastructure, and promote the use of environmentally friendly technology.
Green Solutions for Oily Wastewater
A green solution is an approach, strategy, or technology designed to address environmental issues in a sustainable, eco-friendly way that contributes to the preservation of natural resources.
Microbial lipase enzymes are an effective and sustainable green solution for treating oily wastewater. This technology is not only eco-friendly but also supports efficient waste processing.
With further development, microbial lipase can be a key to creating a cleaner and healthier environment, with great potential for widespread application in both industrial and domestic settings.
What is Microbial Lipase?
Microbial lipase is a lipase enzyme produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or yeast (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas, and Aspergillus). This enzyme can break down various types of fats and oils into simpler compounds under various temperature and pH conditions and is stable against organic solvents, making it suitable for industrial applications.
Moreover, microbial lipase is easy to produce on a large scale through microbial fermentation and can be tailored to specific industry needs through genetic modification or protein engineering. Lipase can be applied in various industries, including biodiesel production, food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, detergents, cosmetics, and skincare products.
How Does Microbial Lipase Work in Treating Oily Wastewater?
Microbial lipase works by breaking down fat molecules into simpler compounds—fatty acids and glycerol, which other microorganisms can use as energy sources. This process transforms fats, which are initially hard to dissolve, into more diluted liquids, preventing fat buildup in pipes and treatment tanks and making the wastewater easier to manage.
The enzymatic process with lipase is environmentally friendly and functions under various conditions, including extreme pH, temperature, and salinity, making it suitable for diverse wastewater treatment scenarios.
Lipase works in several steps. Upon contact with the substrate, the enzyme binds to the surface of fat or oil molecules in the wastewater. It then breaks the ester bonds in the fat/oil through hydrolysis, producing fatty acids and glycerol.
After the reaction, the product is immediately released from the enzyme’s active site, making the enzyme ready to catalyze the next fat molecule. The fatty acids and glycerol are easier to degrade by microorganisms in biological treatment systems.
Applications of Microbial Lipase
Microbial lipase can be used in various wastewater treatment systems, including:
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Pretreatment: Lipase is used before biological treatment to reduce fat and oil content.
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Enzymatic bioreactors: Wastewater flows through reactors containing lipase.
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Combined with bioremediation: Lipase is combined with degrading microorganisms to optimize oily wastewater treatment.
The use of lipase in oily wastewater treatment can be applied on small or large scales, including in the food and beverage industry, restaurants and hospitality, oil and gas industry, small and medium enterprises, and even households.
Written by Prof. Dr. Sri Sumarsih, Dra., M.Si., Professor of Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga (Unair).
Reposted by admin from the source: Inovasi Lipase Mikroba: Solusi Hijau untuk Limbah Cair Berminyak – Suara Merdeka Surabaya – Halaman 2
