Parameter development of environmentally friendly esterase enzymatic deinking system from banana

Currently, potentially environmentally damaging chemicals are used in large quantities in deinking process. The deinking method selection has become the influential factor during the paper recycling procedure. Esterase enzyme is the enzymes of hydrolase class involved in catalysis of cleavage and formation of ester bonds which able to break ester bonds in polymer used in toners and adhesives of the printed-papers. In this research, factors such as pH, temperature and concentration of enzyme esterase is studied first to ensure that the enzyme works at its optimized condition. Then, deinking is done through enzymatic hydrolysis before the printedpapers are further treat with Tween 20 and finally analyse using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The enzymatic hydrolysis is done under the condition of concentration of esterase (10-1), pH 4.5 and temperature of 45˚C. The results obtained had revealed ability of the esterase enzyme to remove the inks from the laser-printed papers.