Approaches of Overproduction and Purification of Pleurotus Laccase for the Treatment of Sugarcane Vinasse

Abstract

The large amount of agroindustrial residues is generated from various economic activities, which increases the biotechnological interest in using these residues as substrates. Thus, the use of agroindustrial residues as growth substrates for microorganisms can represent a benefit for the agroindustry, as well as developing new technological systems in the process of energy conversion and recovery through an integrated biorefinery approach. However, an efficient conversion process necessitates various types of biomass pretreatment prior to fermentation. Basidiomycete fungi, particularly those of the genus Pleurotus, stand out in this case for their high catalytic potential and determinant factors, with a focus on the potential outcome of resistance mechanisms in unfavourable environmental conditions. Furthermore, such fungi produce a wide range of lignin-modifying enzymes, including laccase, which is able to degrade and/or mineralize a variety of recalcitrant aromatic compounds. From this, the laccase can be further purified by liquid-liquid extraction using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) and facilitate the degradation process of the organic compound of interest. Therefore, to meet the principles of development of sustainable processes and products, this chapter focuses on the use of agroindustrial substrates, specifically sugarcane vinasse, in bioprocesses for the growth of basidiomycete fungi. It also encourages the development of new biocatalytic processes that lead to laccase production in order to understand the importance of addressing the enzymatic mechanism with promising prospects for biotechnological applications.