Abstract
Laccases are an interesting group of multi-copper enzymes, which have potential within various applications. They have surprisingly broad substrate specificities and can oxidize simple diphenols, polyphenols, diamines, and aromatic amines. Laccases oxidize their substrates by a one-electron transfer mechanism. Molecular oxygen is used as an electron acceptor. The substrate loses a single electron and usually forms a free radical. Laccases are widely distributed in nature. The best known laccase producers are from fungal origin. They have several functions in nature e.g. are involved in both polymerisation and de-polymerisation processes of lignin. Laccases have been used successfully in bioglueing of lignocellulose material in order to produce lignocellulose based composites, like fibre or particle boards. Promising results with laccases have also been achieved in grafting reactions. Oxidation of biopolymer substrates such as starch or cellulose has been carried out with laccases combined with mediators.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Thurston, C.F. 1994. The structure and function of fungal laccases. Microbiology 140: 19–26.
Bourbonnais, R., and Paice, M.1990. Oxidation of non-phenolic substrates: An expanded role for laccase in lignin biodegradation. FEBS Leu. 267: 99–102.
Bourbonnais, R., and Paice, M.G. 1992. Demethylation and delignification of kraft pulp by Trametes versicolor laccase in the presence of 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate). Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 36: 823–827.
Call, H-P., Process for Modifying, Breaking down or Bleaching Lignin, Materials Containing Lignin or Like Substances. PCT world patent application WO 94/29510.
Call, H.P., and Mucke, I. 1997. History, owerview and applications of inediated lignolytic systems, especially laccase-mediator-system (Lignozyme-process). J. Biotechnology 53: 163–202.
Gianfreda, L., Xu, F., and Bollag, J-M. 1999. Laccases: a useful group of oxidoreductive enzymes. Bioremediation J. 3(1): 1–25.
Xu, F., 1999. Recent process in laccase study: properties, enzymology, production, and applications. In: The encyclopedia of bioprocessing technology: fermentation, biocatalysis and bioseparation (Flickinger, M.C., and Drew, S.W. eds.) John Wiley&Sons, New York, pp. 1545–1554.
Haars, A., and Huttermann, A. 1983. Binder for wood materials. German Patent DE3037992.
Haars, A., Kharazipour, A., Zanker, H., and Huttermann, A. 1989. Room-temperature curing adhesives based on lignin and phenoloxidases. ACS Symp.Ser. 385: 126–134.
Viikari, L., Hase, A., Qvintus-Leino, P., Kataja, K., Tuominen, S., and Gädda, L. A new adhesive for fibre boards. PCT Word patent application WO 98/31762.
Kharazipour, A., Huttermann, A., Kuhne, G., and Rong, M. 1993. Verfahren zum Verkleben von Holzfragmenten und nach dem Verfahren hergestellte Formkörper. European Patent 0565109.
Kharazipour, A, Bergmann, K., Nonninger, K., and Huttermann, 1998. Properties of fibre boards obtained by activation of the middle lamella lignin of wood fibres with peroxidase and H202 before conventional pressing. J.Adhesion Sci. Technol. 12: 1045–1053.
Felby, C., Pedersen, L.S., and Nielsen, B.R. 1997. Enhanced auto adhesion of wood fibres using phenol oxidases. Holzforschung 51: 281–286.
Felby, C., Nielsen, B.R., Olesen, P.O., and Skibsted, L.H. 1997. Identification and quantification of radical reaction intermediates by electron spin resonance spectrometry of laccase-catalyzed oxidation of wood fibres from beech (Fagus sylvatica). Appl. Microbiol Biotechnol 48: 459–464.
Nimz, H.H., Gurang, I., and Mogharab, I. 1976. Untersuchungen zur Vernezung technischer Sulfitablage. Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1421–1434.
Mai, C., Milstein, O., and Huttermann, A 1999. Fungal laccase grafts acrylamide onto lignin in presence of peroxides. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 51: 527–531.
Mai, C., Milstein, O., and Hutterman, A., 2000. Chemoenzymatical grafting of acrylamide onto lignin. J. Biotechnol. 79: 173–183.
Ikeda, R., Sugihara, J., Uyama, H., and Kobayashi, S. 1998. Enzymatic oxidative polymerization of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives to poly(phenylene oxide)s. Polymer International 47: 295–301.
Pedersen, L.S., Felby, C., and Munk, N. (1997) Process for increasing the charge on a lignocellulosic material and products obtained thereby. Patent WO 9729237.
Röper, H. 1996. Applications of starch and its derivatives. Carbohydrates in Europe 14: 22–30.
Viikari, L., Niku-Paavola, M-L., Buchert, J., Forssell, P., Teleman, A., and Kruus, K. 2000. Menetelmä hapetetun tärkkelyksen valmistamiseksi. Finnish Patetnt FI 105690.
Kierulff, J.V. Modification of polysaccharides by means of phenol oxidizing enzyme. PCT world patent application WO 99/32652.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kruus, K., Niku-Paavola, ML., Viikari, L. (2001). Laccase — a Useful Enzyme for Modification of Biopolymers. In: Chiellini, E., Gil, H., Braunegg, G., Buchert, J., Gatenholm, P., van der Zee, M. (eds) Biorelated Polymers. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3374-7_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3374-7_23
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-3369-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-3374-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive