microbial-enzymes
Microbial enzymes are proteins produced by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that catalyze specific biochemical reactions, such as breaking down complex organic compounds or synthesizing bioactive molecules. In plant science, these enzymes play a crucial role in soil nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and symbiotic interactions with plant roots, directly influencing nutrient availability and plant health. Studying microbial enzymes also helps researchers understand plant-microbe relationships and develop biotechnological applications like biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-06-23
Researchers purified a dye-degrading enzyme from a soil bacterium and used it to break down toxic textile dyes, achieving up to 84.5% removal of Congo red under optimized conditions. This offers a greener alternative to chemical wastewater treatment.
The laccase enzyme was purified 12.19-fold with a 63.86% recovery rate and a molecular weight of ~45 kDa.
Congo red dye showed 61% degradation with crude enzyme, rising to 84.5% after optimizing conditions with Response Surface Methodology.
Enzyme activity peaked at pH 5 and 40°C, and was boosted by copper ions while being blocked by sodium azide.