Abstract
Enzymatic catalysis is one of the main pillars of sustainability for industrial production. Enzyme application allows minimization of the use of toxic solvents and to valorize the agro-industrial residues through reuse. In addition, they are safe and energy efficient. Nonetheless, their use in biotechnological processes is still hindered by the cost, stability, and low rate of recycling and reuse. Among the many industrial enzymes, fungal laccases (LCs) are perfect candidates to serve as a biotechnological tool as they are outstanding, versatile catalytic oxidants, only requiring molecular oxygen to function. LCs are able to degrade phenolic components of lignin, allowing them to efficiently reuse the lignocellulosic biomass for the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, or clean energy, while minimizing the use of chemicals. Therefore, this review aims to give an overview of fungal LC, a promising green and sustainable enzyme, its mechanism of action, advantages, disadvantages, and solutions for its use as a tool to reduce the environmental and economic impact of industrial processes with a particular insight on the reuse of agro-wastes.
Highlights
Enzymatic catalysis enables the tackling of most issues that are related to environmental sustainability, especially regarding the use of hazardous chemicals, and represents an important tool that may be applied at an industrial level
Sustainability in industry encompasses the reduction of pollution that is caused by chemicals; the hazards deriving from their use; the utilization of abundant, carbon-neutral biomasses or wastes as raw materials; the use of renewable energy sources; and the use of efficient conversion technologies [3]
Among the many industrial enzymes, LCs show a unique profile in terms of greenness, versatility, pollutants removal, and efficiency in lignin degradation for the exploitation and valorization of agro-wastes
Summary
Enzyme biotechnology is a green and efficient process which has been applied to various industrial operations as an alternative to chemical catalysis with advantages in terms of sustainability and efficiency [1]. Owing to the enzymatic treatment, the shift from energy intensive processes, such as steam or chemical-based ones, to mild and environmentally friendly processes is feasible [8], while valorizing the plant material and applying circularity in food systems In this regard, plant material deriving from food wastes still represents a poorly exploited resource which may enter new production paths. This review aims to give an overview of fungal LC, a promising green and sustainable enzyme, its mechanism of action, advantages, disadvantages, and solutions for its use as a tool to reduce the environmental and economic impact of industrial processes with a particular insight on the reuse and valorization of agro-wastes
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