Biotechnological Importance of Laccase and Its Characteristics

Due to the presence of four Cu atoms in the active site of laccase (an oxidoreductase) it catalyzes oxidation of a wide range of substrates and also reduces oxygen to water. The laccase substrates include, e.g., phenols, ABTS [2,2'-azinobis(3-ethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid)] and syringaldazine. Laccase is used in analytical chemistry, in paper and food industry due to its substrate specificity in oxidation. Laccase is able to deco-lourize wastewaters from textile industry. The review summarizes laccase characteristics and its biotechnological applications.