Laccase and Polyphenol Oxidase

Dr. Leung is a Senior Lecturer in Biological Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. Dr. Leung attained his undergraduate and doctorate degrees at the University of Oxford, and began his independent research career at the University of Auckland in 2013. In 2018, he was appointed co-Deputy Director of the Centre for Green Chemistry Science at the University of Auckland. In 2021, Dr. Leung joined the University of Melbourne, where he is now part of the School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute.Dr. Leung’s research focuses on the study of enzyme structure, function, and modulation with an aim to help solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges in health and sustainability. One of his main research interests is the study of multi-copper oxidase including polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and laccase.

"...explores both the physiological roles and commercial application of these distinctive oxidoreductases. This book aims to provide a comprehensive discussion on PPO and laccase, focusing on their structural and biochemical characteristics, such as substrate specificity and reaction mechanisms. Additionally, it explores their potential industrial applications, including their roles in food and wine production as well as bioremediation processes. The editor characterizes this book as a 'guide to readers into these highly connected but intricate enzyme systems and topics,' indicating that its intended audience is students and scientists seeking an introduction to the field." ©Doody's Review Service, 2025, Peter Kennelly, PhD(Virginia Tech)

• ContributorsAbout the editorPrefaceCHAPTER 1 Functional roles of polyphenol oxidases in plants and fungiMehdi Kamali Dashtarzhaneh, Valentina Valencia Bernal and Fatemeh KhodadadiIntroductionPolyphenol oxidase structure and mechanismEnzymatic activity and reaction mechanisms of polyphenol oxidasesLatency and activation of polyphenol oxidasesPolyphenol oxidase and browningPolyphenol oxidase functions against biotic stress in plantsPolyphenol oxidase function against plant pathogensPolyphenol oxidase function against insect pestsFunctions of polyphenol oxidases in plants against abiotic stressBiological functions of polyphenol oxidases in plant metabolism synthesisBetalain biosynthesisAurone biosynthesisTyrosine and esculetin metabolismLignan biosynthesisFunctions of polyphenol oxidases in fungiPigmentation and browningLignin degradationMorphogenesisFungal defense and interactionPolyphenol oxidase genes and characterizationConclusionsReferencesCHAPTER 2 Plant PPO: Production, purification, and activity assaysZhao Li, Kritika Shrestha and Yu LiIntroductionOverall PPO structureStructural information on the substrate specificityPrevious investigations on plant PPO purification and characterizationCrude extraction and purification of PPOsCharacterization of plant PPOsRecombinant plant PPOs: Production, purification and characterizationPrior investigations into recombinant PPOsCase study: Recombinant production, purification and characterization of grape PPOConclusionsReferencesCHAPTER 3 Laccase and polyphenol oxidase: Biochemistry and biotechnological applicationsJ. Ashwini John, Sana Riaz, S.K. Taihid Ali and Ethiraj SelvarajanIntroductionStructure and catalytic site Mechanism of enzyme action Biochemical applications of polyphenol oxidase and laccase Biosensing/biochemical sensingRemoval of pollutants Other biotechnological applicationsFood industryTextile industryPharmaceutical industryBioremediationConclusions and future prospectivesReferencesCHAPTER 4 Recent advances in the design of PPO inhibitorsChen Wai Wong, Zhi Zhou Siew, Win Yee Lim and Eric Wei Chiang ChanIntroductionPolyphenol oxidase inhibitors in food packaging systemsThe role of food packaging on enzymatic browningActive packaging as an innovative approach to inhibit enzymatic browningChoice between plant-based and synthetic PPO inhibitors in active packagingCompatibility of plant-based inhibitors with active packagingPolyphenol oxidase inhibitors in cosmeceuticalsRole of tyrosinase in melanogenesisMelanogenesis-related dermatological issuesPlant-based cosmeceutical PPO inhibitorsDelivery systems for plant-based PPO inhibitorsEthical screening methods for melanogenesis inhibitionConclusionReferencesFurther readingCHAPTER 5 Reaction mechanism and redox potential of laccaseNabangshu Dev SharmaIntroduction - laccase as versatile biocatalystsBasic structural features of laccasesMultidomain structure of laccaseActive site characteristicsConserved sequential regionsReaction mechanism of laccases and their unique substrate binding cavitySubstrate oxidationDistinction between laccases and other MCOsOxygen reduction mechanismRedox potential of laccasesRole of the axial ligandOther impacting factorsRelation between redox potential and substrate specificityLaccase engineering and the role of redox mediatorsFactors influencing laccase activity other than redox potentialConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 6 Laccases: Biological functions and potential applicationsLan Huong Le Viet, Tomoko Matsuda and Ivanhoe K.H. LeungIntroductionEnzyme structure and reactionLaccase occurrence and characteristicsPlant laccasesFungal laccasesBacterial laccasesInsect laccasesBiological functions of laccasesSynthesis and degradation of ligninPigment formation and polyphenol oxidationPathogen defenceBiological functions of insect laccaseBiotechnological and industrial application of laccasesBiodegradation and bioremediationPulp and paper industryBiosensors nanobiotechnologyBiofuelsApplication in the food industryCosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturingConclusionsReferencesCHAPTER 7 Challenges and applications of laccase inbioremediationOhinerau Bonnet, Tumanako Fa’aui, Ivanhoe K.H. Leung, Shan Yi and Wei-Qin ZhuangIntroductionLaccase structures and active sitesLaccases redox potential and substrate rangeBenefits and drawbacks of current laccase degradation systemsFree laccase systemsLaccase-mediator systemsImmobilized laccase systemsFungal versus bacterial laccases for biotechnological applicationsLaccase-assisted bioremediation strategiesDye decolorization of textile effluents Detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluentsPesticidesEndocrine-disrupting chemicalsPharmaceuticalsPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsChallenges associated with the laccase-assisted bioremediation of emerging contaminants and future perspectivesConcluding remarksAI disclosureReferencesCHAPTER 8 Immobilization of Laccase for industrial wastewater treatment: Current challenges and future perspectivesKomla Alokpa, Vinoth Kumar Vaidyanathan and Hubert CabanaIntroductionLaccase-catalyzed oxidation of substratesLaccase mediator systemCross-coupling and polymerization of substratesImmobilization of laccaseAdsorptionEntrapment/encapsulationCross-linkingCovalent immobilizationMulti-enzyme immobilizationCombination of laccase-catalyzed oxidation and photocatalysisFactors influencing laccase immobilizationReactor configurations for laccase-based treatment of wastewaterCosts and competitiveness of laccase-based treatment of wastewater(Eco)toxicity of immobilization carrier materialsChallenges and future outlookConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 9 In silico bioprospecting and engineering laccases: Methods and applicationsRuite Xiang, Martin Floor, Lars H. Østergaard, Kirk M. Schnorr and Victor GuallarIntroductionMolecular determinants of reactivity in laccasesCharacterization of laccase activity. The computational protocolIn silico laccase engineering, putting the protocol to workOn demand bioprospecting with our computational protocolKeep an eye on AIProperty design, not everything is about high catalytic ratesConclusionAcknowledgmentsReferencesIndex