BiodEnz:A database of biodegrading enzymes

Azo dyes, which re characterized by azo bonds, are a predominant class of colorants used in tattooing, cosmetics, foods, textile and consumer products. Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2), lignin peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.14) , Azo reductases (EC 1.7.1.6) of different micro organisms are mainly useful for the development of biodegradation systems as they catalyse reductive cleavage of azo groups (-N=N-) . Laccases have very broad substrate specificity with respect to the electron donor and is capable of oxidizing phenols and aromatic amines. Azoreductase belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, acting on other nitrogenous compounds as donors with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. Lignin peroxidase enzymes are highly non-specific and are well reported to decolourize various dyes We have developed BiodEnz database by collecting information like strains that produce particular enzymes, azo dyes that are degraded , substrate specificity, molecular weight, the optimum temperature and pH, sequence data of the above enzymes ,as the most effective inoculants used for bioremediation are able to degrade dyes over a broad concentration range, tolerate a range of environmental conditions of temperature, pH, and activity of the enzymes. The database can be searched by using a user friendly web interface.

The database is available for free at http://www.biodenzdatabase.in.