The Role of Peroxidases in the Bioremediation of Organic Pollutants

Abstract

The emergence of organic pollutants such as phenolic acids, pesticides, dyes, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial wastes threatens our environment, including biodiversity, ecosystems of terrestrial and aquatic animals, and human health. It is well known that toxicants disrupt the biochemical balance of organisms and cause physiological effects in individuals. Emerging organic pollutants (OPs) have varied levels of lethality depending on their chemical nature and byproducts, properties and composition of the compound fractions, mode of exposure, levels of exposure, and time of exposure. Accordingly, risk mitigation measures should be taken with constant environmental changes. The peroxidases are groups of heme-proteins, which at present are considered the most efficient biocatalysts for the bioremediation of the environment. To overcome the numerous disadvantages of conventional biological remediation methods, peroxidases require a more thorough interpretation to broadly understand their potential uses in organic transformations as an efficient biocatalyst. Peroxidases are susceptible to the breakdown of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dyes, pharmaceutical compounds, agrochemicals, and phenols, and other highly hazardous organic pollutants found in industrial effluents. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the applications and the efficiency of peroxidases as eco-friendly catalysts.

Pathogenesis-Related Proteins (PRs) with Enzyme Activity Activating Plant Defense Responses

“…Thus, the use of plant peroxidases arouses great industrial interest as potential biodegradable agents. PRX from plants can degrade residual phenols in water, from industrial wastewater [77][78][79].…”

The potential of fungi in the bioremediation of pharmaceutically active compounds: a comprehensive review

“…Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.X) are majorly classified into the ascorbate-, cytochrome c catalase-, lignin-, manganese- and versatile peroxidases ( Basumatary et al, 2023 ). Peroxidases sourced from fungi are noted to possess wide substrate specificity which enables them to catalyse the transformation of various recalcitrant compounds that are resistant to conventional bioremediation which includes synthetic dyes, herbicides, pesticides, and PhACs, to mention a few ( Saikia et al, 2022 ).…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Cross-Linked Aggregates of Peroxidase from Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea Grass) and Their Application for Indigo Carmine Decolorization

“…Peroxidases and particularly horseradish peroxidase (HRP) have gained interest due to its potential ability to degrade toxic compounds, such as IC, into compounds with a lower environmental impact [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, the use of a free peroxidase to decontaminate natural water sources is complex and very expensive, with the reuse of the enzyme becoming not possible.…”