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ENZYMATIC BIOREMEDIATION: FROM ENZYME DISCOVERY TO APPLICATIONS
Author(s) -
Sutherland TD,
Horne I,
Weir KM,
Coppin CW,
Williams MR,
Selleck M,
Russell RJ,
Oakeshott JG
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2004.04088.x
Subject(s) - bioremediation , environmental remediation , pesticide residue , pesticide , organophosphate , human decontamination , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , contamination , detoxification (alternative medicine) , biodegradation , environmental science , chemistry , waste management , biochemistry , biology , agronomy , medicine , engineering , ecology , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
SUMMARY 1. Enzymatic bioremediation is potentially a rapid method of removing environmental pesticide residues. Applications include the treatment of residues resulting from agricultural production and processing industries, such as the treatment of irrigation waters, surface‐contaminated fruit and vegetables and spent dip liquors. 2. A specific application for some organophosphate‐degrading enzymes involves detoxification of nerve agent stockpiles. Effective and affordable remediation requires highly specialized enzymes, so protein engineering techniques are being used to improve properties of various source enzymes to enhance catalytic rates, stability and substrate range. 3. Trials with an optimized organophosphate‐degrading enzyme have shown the feasibility of such technology in various applications. 4. The enzymes developed for environmental remediation for specific pesticide classes also have applications as antidotes for high‐dose pesticide poisonings and as prophylaxis for people at risk of high pesticide doses.