Microbial laccases as biocatalysts for biofunctionalization and degradation of plastic polymers: Advances, mechanisms, and perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51077Keywords:
Laccase, Biodegradation, Plastic, Bioremediation, Upcycling, Circular Economy.Abstract
This article aims to present a study on microbial laccases as biocatalysts for the biofunctionalization and degradation of plastic polymers. Plastic pollution is a central crisis of the Anthropocene, requiring solutions such as microbial laccases. This systematic review analyzes the advances of the last decade (20 articles) in the use of these oxidative enzymes for the degradation of recalcitrant polymers. The results indicate that laccases act via oxidative biofunctionalization, introducing hydrophilic groups (C=O and -OH) that weaken the polymer surface. Efficiency is enhanced by laccase-mediator systems (LMS), cell surface engineering, and synergy with abiotic pre-treatments (such as UV). Notable examples include coupled systems (e.g., laccase-manganese oxides) that achieve >90% polyethylene (PE) degradation in vitro and the discovery of laccases with flat active sites, optimized for polymers. Efficacy varies by material: it is high for PE and nylon, moderate for polypropylene, but still limited for PET and PVC. Key challenges include reliance on energy-intensive pre-treatments, incomplete mineralization, and barriers to industrial scaling. Looking ahead, the review points to next-generation laccase engineering, the use of enzymatic consortia, and a focus on biological upcycling for a circular economy. It is concluded that laccases are fundamental biocatalysts, but their success depends on multidisciplinary integration to enable large-scale economic and environmental applications.
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