A schematic illustration showing the working of the nanoenzyme. Credit: Rohit Kapila and Subinoy Rana
Materials scientists have synthesised a nanoenzyme that can break down organic pollutants in wastewater under visible light1.
The nanoenzyme can also oxidise neurotransmitters such as dopamine and adrenaline, which are associated with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and heart diseases. Oxidising these molecules could help measure their concentrations, offering a way to diagnose and track the progress of the diseases, say a team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.
Enzymes are proteins with many roles in biological reactions. However, they are unstable and difficult to produce outside living organisms.
The scientists produced this nanoenzyme using organic compounds and platinum. The enzyme, called NanoPtA, mimicked the functions of natural enzymes such as oxidases. These enzymes transfer a hydrogen atom from a particular substrate to an oxygen molecule, forming water or hydrogen peroxide.
The nanoenzyme, which tolerated extreme pH, high salt concentration and high temperature, could self-assemble in water, forming nanosized tapes. The team, led by Subinoy Rana, found that it degraded even small quantities of pollutants such as phenols and dyes within 10 minutes under visible light. The enzyme can be reused for more than 20 cycles.
Unlike natural enzymes that are stored at -20°C or 4°C, the nanoenzyme retained its catalytic activity for more than 75 days at room temperature.
