Abstract

Laccase, a multicopper oxidase, has emerged as a promising biocatalyst in advancing the green circular bioeconomy and sustainable public health solutions. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on laccase, integrating mechanistic insights with emerging applications. Its capacity to oxidize substrates such as phenols, anilines, and lignin, while reducing molecular oxygen to water, enables eco-friendly applications in paper pulp bleaching, textile dyeing, nanobiotechnology, woodworking, food processing, biorefining, wastewater treatment, organic synthesis, and biofuel production. Their structural complexity, including a multicopper catalytic core and variable glycosylation, underpins their catalytic versatility and stability across diverse conditions. This review advances beyond descriptive summaries by providing (i) a comparative evaluation of production platforms, including microbial, recombinant, and waste-derived systems; (ii) a critical assessment of natural versus synthetic mediator systems; and (iii) roles of laccase in green and circular bioeconomy applications in bioremediation, industrial processing, biosensing, and medical diagnostics are discussed with emphasis on pollutant degradation and risk reduction. Emerging trends (2023–2026), such as laccase-like nanozymes and circular production strategies, are highlighted. Despite significant progress, challenges related to enzyme stability, scalability, and cost remain. Addressing these limitations will be crucial for translating laccase-based technologies into large-scale sustainable and public health applications.

Key words: Laccase, Industrial application, Oxidase, Bioremediation.