Biocatalytic solutions to aquatic toxic pollutant degradation – emerging role of fungal laccases: a review

Abstract

The discharge of various industrial effluents into aquatic water bodies enriched with toxic emerging pollutants and their accumulation in the environment have recently become major concerns. These emerging pollutants show toxicity and carcinogenicity even at trace concentrations, seriously damaging the aquatic ecosystem, environment, and human health. Several research studies are ongoing worldwide to sustainably mitigate these hazardous pollutants. Laccases are potential green biocatalysts for the degradation of these toxic pollutants compared to physical and chemical treatment processes. Laccases are multi‐copper oxidoreductases that have the potential to carry out oxidation of one electron across a wide spectrum of substrates and different pollutants. Laccases have recently received attention for the degradation of pollutants such as pharmaceutically active compounds, industrial dyes, personal care products, phenolic, aromatic, xenobiotic chemicals, and pesticides. In this review, we highlight the potential of laccase enzymes for the degradation of various emerging pollutants, the industrial production of laccases and their immobilization technology, various methods adopted for the degradation, and their mechanism for restoring the ecosystem. Finally, research gaps that could pave the way for future studies on a sustainable, pollution‐free environment are discussed. This article provides researchers with insight into the potential of laccase‐mediated pollutant degradation processes in aquatic environments, contributing to a sustainable ecosystem. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).