Laccase Enzyme in Nanoparticle for Pesticide Degradation: A Special Emphasis on Chlorpyrifos Degradation

Abstract

Synthetic chemicals were used as pesticides for killing numerous pests. There are various classes in which insecticides are one of the types which are responsible for causing dangerous effect on human beings. Due to their efficacy, these insecticides gained popularity, and easy access has made them popular among farmers. Chlorpyrifos is a type of insecticide having broad spectrum effect which makes it a favourable candidate against numerous pests. When it is being used, it remains in the environment for several years, contaminating the quality of soil and the groundwater. The chlorpyrifos pesticide is used rigorously in farming practices. Chlorpyrifos inhibits acetylcholine esterase enzyme causing convulsion, paralysis and ultimately death. Deleterious effect of the chlorpyrifos pesticide has led researchers to ponder about its efficient and eco-friendly degradation/removal process. Biological method of degradation involves microbes where enzymes play a crucial role in degradation of chlorpyrifos. Laccase is an enzyme having broad substrate specificity and explored for chlorpyrifos degradation in its free and immobilized form. And it has been observed that enzyme immobilized onto a suitable support shows more efficiency than the free enzymes. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme can be reused multiple times. So far, numerous carriers or supports have been reported. However, role of nanoparticles in immobilization is in infancy. Large surface area, eco-friendly nature and inexpensive characteristics may enhance the degradation efficiency by retaining the enzymes intact and enhancing the reusability. This chapter will focus on laccase enzyme, their sources of generation, characteristics and application. Further, the chapter would highlight the application of nanoparticle in pesticide degradation and its role as a carrier for enzyme immobilization. Lastly, the chapter would discuss about the mechanism of action of laccase immobilized nanoparticle in pesticide degradation.