Premium
Raising environmental awareness through applied biochemistry laboratory experiments
Author(s) -
Salman Ashraf S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.20717
Subject(s) - chemistry , environmental pollution , raising (metalworking) , biochemical engineering , biochemistry , environmental chemistry , environmental science , engineering , environmental protection , mechanical engineering
Our environment is under constant pressure and threat from various sources of pollution. Science students, in particular chemistry students, must not only be made aware of these issues, but also be taught that chemistry (and science) can provide solutions to such real‐life issues. To this end, a newly developed biochemistry laboratory experiment is described that guides students to learn about the applicability of peroxidase enzymes to degrade organic dyes (as model pollutants) in simulated waste water. In addition to showing how enzymes can potentially be used for waste water remediation, various factors than can affect enzyme‐based reactions such as pH, temperature, concentration of substrates/enzymes, and denaturants can also be tested. This “applied biotechnology” experiment was successfully implemented in an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course to enhance students' learning of environmental issues as well important biochemistry concepts. Student survey confirmed that this laboratory experiment was successful in achieving the objectives of raising environmental awareness in students and illustrating the usefulness of chemistry in solving real‐life problems. This experiment can be easily adopted in an introductory biochemistry laboratory course and taught as an inquiry‐guided exercise. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(5):341–347, 2013