On Wednesday, August, 26 ,2026 Al-Khwarizmi College of engineering held a master thesis defense in the field of Biochemical engineering titled “Wastewater Treatment using Bacterial enzymes”, for the master candidate (Amal Shakir Laftah) at the thesis defense hall, where a degree of passing with distinction was awarded for her research findings.
The committee is composed of the following members:
- Professor Dr. Sami Dawood Salman, Chair
- Professor Dr. Wathiq Abbas Hateet, Examiner
- Lecturer Dr. Sahar Ghazi Omran, Examiner
- Professor Dr. Alaa Karim Muhammad, 1st Supervisor
- Lecturer Dr. Hasan Nadhim Nimer, 2nd Supervisor
This thesis investigates the enzymatic treatment of dairy wastewater, which is characterized by a high organic load and contains proteins, lipids, and other biodegradable compounds that may pose environmental risks when discharged without adequate treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hydrolytic enzymes, particularly protease and lipase, in improving the quality of dairy wastewater and reducing its organic content. Bacterial isolates capable of producing protease and lipase were isolated and identified, followed by enzyme production and purification using ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis. The purified enzymes were subsequently applied individually and in combination to dairy wastewater to evaluate their effects on selected physicochemical characteristics and organic pollutants. Changes in the organic components of the wastewater were further investigated using size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that enzymatic treatment improved the quality of dairy wastewater and contributed to a reduction in its organic content. The combined application of protease and lipase showed greater treatment efficiency than the application of either enzyme individually. Chromatographic analysis also revealed clear changes in the protein and organic components following enzymatic treatment, indicating the degradation of complex compounds into simpler and more biodegradable forms. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of enzymatic treatment as an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for dairy wastewater management, with promising prospects for further development and industrial-scale application.
