Assay Development for Continuous Colorimetric Detection of Alpha F- Release from Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Department
Chemistry
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
2-26-2025 3:00 PM
End Date
2-26-2025 4:00 PM
Abstract
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," are a class of highly persistent organic pollutants widely used in industrial applications due to their unique chemical properties such as water and oil resistance. However, their environmental persistence and potential health risks have raised significant concerns. Biodegradation of PFAS, particularly through enzymatic defluorination, presents a promising solution for mitigating their impact. Defluorinase enzymes, capable of breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds, are key in this process. Despite this potential, a major limitation in the study of PFAS biodegradation is the lack of efficient assays to measure defluorination, particularly in real-time. This research aims to address this gap by developing a continuous, colorimetric assay to detect the release of ��-fluoride ions from carboxylic acids during enzymatic degradation. The proposed assay relies on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to catalyze the conversion of NAD+ to NADH, generating a measurable color change that correlates with fluoride ion release. This method offers a sensitive and continuous approach to monitor PFAS degradation, advancing our ability to assess and optimize bioremediation efforts.
Recommended Citation
Hanson, Jack; Pauls, Caroline; and Christenson, James Dr., "Assay Development for Continuous Colorimetric Detection of Alpha F- Release from Polyfluoroalkyl Substances" (2025). Day of Scholarship. 23.
https://spark.bethel.edu/dayofscholarship/spring2025/feb26/23
Assay Development for Continuous Colorimetric Detection of Alpha F- Release from Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," are a class of highly persistent organic pollutants widely used in industrial applications due to their unique chemical properties such as water and oil resistance. However, their environmental persistence and potential health risks have raised significant concerns. Biodegradation of PFAS, particularly through enzymatic defluorination, presents a promising solution for mitigating their impact. Defluorinase enzymes, capable of breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds, are key in this process. Despite this potential, a major limitation in the study of PFAS biodegradation is the lack of efficient assays to measure defluorination, particularly in real-time. This research aims to address this gap by developing a continuous, colorimetric assay to detect the release of ��-fluoride ions from carboxylic acids during enzymatic degradation. The proposed assay relies on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to catalyze the conversion of NAD+ to NADH, generating a measurable color change that correlates with fluoride ion release. This method offers a sensitive and continuous approach to monitor PFAS degradation, advancing our ability to assess and optimize bioremediation efforts.
