Laccases—Versatile Enzymes Used to Reduce Environmental Pollution

Gigel Paraschiv, Mariana Ferdes, Mariana Ionescu, Georgiana Moiceanu, Bianca Stefania Zabava and Mirela Nicoleta Dinca
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Gigel Paraschiv: Department of Biotechnical Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Mariana Ferdes: Department of Biotechnical Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Mariana Ionescu: Department of Biotechnical Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Georgiana Moiceanu: Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Bianca Stefania Zabava: Department of Biotechnical Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Mirela Nicoleta Dinca: Department of Biotechnical Systems, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-31

Abstract: The accumulation of waste and toxic compounds has become increasingly harmful to the environment and human health. In this context, the use of laccases has become a focus of interest, due to the properties of these versatile enzymes: low substrate specificity, and water formation as a non-toxic end product. Thus, we begin our study with a general overview of the importance of laccase for the environment and industry, starting with the sources of laccases (plant, bacterial and fungal laccases), the structure and mechanism of laccases, microbial biosynthesis, and the immobilization of laccases. Then, we continue with an overview of agro-waste treatment by laccases wherein we observe the importance of laccases for the biodisponibilization of substrates and the biodegradation of agro-industrial byproducts; we then show some aspects regarding the degradation of xenobiotic compounds, dyes, and pharmaceutical products. The objective of this research is to emphasize and fully investigate the effects of laccase action on the decomposition of lignocellulosic materials and on the removal of harmful compounds from soil and water, in order to provide a sustainable solution to reducing environmental pollution.

Keywords: micro-organisms; biosynthesis; agro-waste; dyes; xenobiotics; pharmaceuticals; biodegradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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