BMMC
Bioactive membranes as tools in microplastic pollution count in the process
of environmental samples analysis
The research was supported by the National Science Center, Poland (Grant No. 2022/47/D/ST8/02677)
Bioactive membranes as tools in microplastic pollution count in the process of environmental samples analysis
The main objective of the presented project is the fabrication of advanced multifunctional membranes composed of organic and/or inorganic materials and immobilized enzymes of various groups, their thorough characterization, and application of the formed bioactive membranes in the process of environmental samples preparation for microplastic pollution analysis to reduce procedure time, cost, and the number of steps and enable better use of the reagents, due to the enhanced lifetime of the immobilized enzymes.
Microplastic sampling and initial analysis
The first phase of the project will aim to secure environmental samples for further analysis, perform their characteristics, and select storage methods, to prevent sample degradation during the project period.
Bioactive membranes preparation
This phase of the project will be focused on self-preparation or obtaining commercial membranes, and their application in the enzyme immobilization process. At this stage, process effectivity and the effect of immobilization parameters will be carefully examined
Characterization of the properties of the biocatalytic membranes
The created biomembranes will undergo careful physicochemical and morphological characterization, and their catalytic potential will be evaluated. This is necessary to understand their mechanism of action and properly design further steps of the sample preparation process.
Application of the bioactive membranes in sample preparation for microplastic analysis
The created biomembranes will be applied in the process of sample preparation for microplastic analysis. Firstly, model solutions will be tested, and once the optimal sample preparation conditions are established, environmental samples will be examined. The obtained results will be the basis of the development of the enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) conceptualization for sample preparation.
Detailed characterization of the microplastic samples after processing with the biomembranes and determination of process efficiency.
This task will be aimed at the assessment of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the samples polluted with microplastic after preparation with biologically active membranes. This will allow a better understanding of the impact of the sample preparation procedure on the results obtained using different techniques. Furthermore, the results of this task will enable evaluation of the sample reparation procedure in the meaning of the sample replicability and may lay the foundations for setting new standards in microplastic analysis.
Characterization of the properties of the biocatalytic membranes
The created biomembranes will undergo careful physicochemical and morphological characterization, and their catalytic potential will be evaluated. This is necessary to understand their mechanism of action and properly design further steps of the sample preparation process.
PROJECT LEADER:
Dr. Eng. Agata Zdarta
Dr. Eng. Agata Zdarta is a Researcher, educated in Poland (MSc and BSc in Biotechnology at the Poznan University of Life Sciences, PhD in Chemistry at Poznan University of Technology).