Biomedical and Pharmaceutical-Related Applications of Laccases

The oxidation of a vast range of phenolic and non-phenolic substrates has been catalyzed by laccases. Given a wide range of substrates, laccases can be applied in different biotechnological applications. The present review was conducted to provide a broad context in pharmaceutical- and biomedical- related applications of laccases for academic and industrial researchers. First, an overview of biological roles of laccases was presented. Furthermore, laccase-mediated strategies for imparting antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to different surfaces were discussed. In this review, laccase-mediated mechanisms for endowing antimicrobial properties were divided into laccase-mediated bio-grafting of phenolic compounds on lignocellulosic fiber, chitosan and catheters, and laccase-catalyzed iodination. Accordingly, a special emphasis was placed on laccase-mediated functionalization for creating antimicrobials, particularly chitosan-based wound dressings. Additionally, oxidative bio-grafting and oxidative polymerization were described as the two main laccase-catalyzed reactions for imparting antioxidant properties. Recent laccase-related studies were also summarized regarding the synthesis of antibacterial and antiproliferative agents and the degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products.