Laccases for Soil Bioremediation

Abstract

Industrialization led to an increase in chemicals in the environment. The soil absorbs these chemicals and holds them for years until treated. The action of bacteria, fungi, and algae utilize the pollutants and generate energy. The bioremediation contains a diverse treatment process, but the effectiveness of the bioremediation increases by the enzymatic action. Laccase, a copper-containing enzyme, is versatile and oxidizes complex organic compounds without generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process is carried by laccase-mediated systems (LCMs) controlled by low redox potential. The presence of redox mediators oxidizes the chemical compounds at the higher rate, making laccase degradation of the pollutants effectively. The chapter provides a glimpse of soil bioremediation by bacteria and fungi as individual species and symbiotic species, the production of laccase enzyme by bacteria and fungi, methods adopted to enhance the enzyme activity, and degradation of pollutants in soil.