Eco-Powered Cleanup: Laccase as a Green Catalyst for Tackling Emerging Contaminants

The widespread Presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial, agricultural, and urban chemicals/wastes has escalated into a pressing global health concern. Key ECs include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, certain nanomaterials, endocrine disrupting compounds, and pesticides spanning diverse chemical classes, with harmful implications for humans, animals, and the environment. They have been detected in groundwater, surface water, soils, and wastewaters in different concentrations. Bioremediation has been well praised as a green, ecofriendly method among other methods for environmental remediation. Laccase (Lac), a versatile oxidative enzyme, is distinguished by its ability to act on non-phenolic substrates, thereby expanding its utility in EC breakdown. This review delves into the origins of ECs and investigates the pivotal role of Lac in their degradation. Lac is one of the most powerful natural oxidative enzymes and is presently receiving the attention of the science community as an effective and versatile green catalyst for eco-powered cleanup of various contaminants. This review analyses the complex mechanisms behind Lac-mediated degradation and underscores its promise in promoting sustainable water/land resource management. While its wide use still faces different challenges, innovative methodologies such as Lac immobilization are highlighted as effective approaches for enhancing EC removal and advancing environmental conservation. In essence, the review spotlights the ecological implications of Lac in bioremediation and the transformative approaches for its sustainable applications. Through cutting-edge techniques and strategic enzyme deployment, this review offers a forward-looking perspective on Lac in mitigating EC-induced environmental challenges.