Harnessing engineered laccase and functional carrier materials for efficient dye degradation: From mechanism to application.
4 affiliations
- 1College of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, 233100, China. [email protected].
- 2College of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, 233100, China.
- 3College of Food Science and Engineering, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, 233100, China.
- 4College of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, 233100, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Laccases are copper-containing oxidases that have been widely investigated for the decolorization and degradation of synthetic dyes, including azo, anthraquinone, triphenylmethane, indigo and thiazine dyes. However, their application in dye-containing wastewater remains constrained by enzyme instability under complex effluent conditions, limited oxidation of some recalcitrant or high-redox-potential dyes, mediator dependence, and poor recovery and reuse of free laccase. This review discusses recent progress in laccase-catalyzed dye degradation from a mechanism-to-engineering perspective, linking dye-structure-dependent degradation pathways with laccase discovery, recombinant expression, protein engineering and immobilization strategies. Particular attention is given to comparative evidence across dye classes, fungal and bacterial laccases, engineered variants generated through rational design, directed evolution and semi-rational mutagenesis, and immobilized laccase systems based on nanomaterials, biopolymers, magnetic carriers and porous supports. In addition, the review distinguishes laboratory model dye systems from simulated and real wastewater applications, highlighting the need for more cautious interpretation of decolorization efficiency, degradation evidence and process feasibility. Finally, we outline future prospects for laccase applications in dye degradation, including the mining of novel laccases from extreme environments, artificial intelligence-assisted laccase design, and developing new nano-scale carrier materials, which will be essential for enhancing laccase performance and broadening its application scope.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026harnessing,
title = {{Harnessing engineered laccase and functional carrier materials for efficient dye degradation: From mechanism to application.}},
author = {Yue Zhang and Mengyan Yu and Yuhao Zhang and Chunying Chen and Xueting Yang and Yuchen Kang and Siyu Wu and Yifei Liu and Zhiguo Zhou and Lisheng Qian},
journal = {Bioresources and bioprocessing},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s40643-026-01148-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955575},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Harnessing engineered laccase and functional carrier materials for efficient dye degradation: From mechanism to application.
AU - Yue Zhang
AU - Mengyan Yu
AU - Yuhao Zhang
AU - Chunying Chen
AU - Xueting Yang
AU - Yuchen Kang
AU - Siyu Wu
AU - Yifei Liu
AU - Zhiguo Zhou
AU - Lisheng Qian
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Bioresources and bioprocessing
DO - 10.1186/s40643-026-01148-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955575
AB - Laccases are copper-containing oxidases that have been widely investigated for the decolorization and degradation of synthetic dyes, including azo, anthraquinone, triphenylmethane, indigo and thiazine dyes. However, their application in dye-containing wastewater remains constrained by enzyme instability under complex effluent conditions, limited oxidation of some recalcitrant or high-redox-potential dyes, mediator dependence, and poor recovery and reuse of free laccase. This review discusses recent progress in laccase-catalyzed dye degradation from a mechanism-to-engineering perspective, linking dye-structure-dependent degradation pathways with laccase discovery, recombinant expression, protein engineering and immobilization strategies. Particular attention is given to comparative evidence across dye classes, fungal and bacterial laccases, engineered variants generated through rational design, directed evolution and semi-rational mutagenesis, and immobilized laccase systems based on nanomaterials, biopolymers, magnetic carriers and porous supports. In addition, the review distinguishes laboratory model dye systems from simulated and real wastewater applications, highlighting the need for more cautious interpretation of decolorization efficiency, degradation evidence and process feasibility. Finally, we outline future prospects for laccase applications in dye degradation, including the mining of novel laccases from extreme environments, artificial intelligence-assisted laccase design, and developing new nano-scale carrier materials, which will be essential for enhancing laccase performance and broadening its application scope.
SN - 2197-4365
ER -