Development of Enzyme-Integrated Electrochemical Cells for the Simultaneous Detection and Degradation of Benzalkonium Chlorides in Wastewater ( RPA Pilot / Seed Project )

This project aims to develop a biocatalytic process for the simultaneous detection and degradation of Benzalkonium Chlorides (BAC), a widely used disinfectant, using electrochemical cells that immobilize BAC-dealkylating enzymes (BacD). Electrochemical cells, which have been explored for biofuel cells and biosensors, offer a novel and effective solution for contaminant removal, particularly for BAC. By integrating BacD-based enzymes into electrochemical cells, this project seeks to detect and degrade BAC in real-time, addressing the dual challenges of contamination and antibiotic resistance. Electrochemical cells provide long-term stability and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes from BAC-resistant organisms. The project will first demonstrate the capability of BacD-based electrochemical cells to detect/degrade BAC in water samples, followed by optimization for practical field applications. Key objectives include isolating and characterizing BAC-degrading enzymes and immobilizing them onto nanomaterials such as graphene oxide for inclusion into electrochemical cells. This integrated detection-degradation system aims to provide an efficient and scalable solution for BAC removal from wastewater, addressing environmental and health risks linked to BAC and antibiotic resistance. The project’s successful outcomes could pave the way for similar applications targeting other organic pollutants, ultimately advancing environmental sustainability and bioremediation technologies.