Applications of Biocatalysts for Sustainable Oxidation of Phenolic Pollutants: A Review

Phenol and its derivatives are hazardous, teratogenic mutagenic, have gained significant attention in recent years due to their high toxicity even at low concentrations. Phenolic compounds appear petroleum refinery wastewater from several sources, such as the neutralized spent caustic waste streams, tank water drain, desalter effluent production unit. Therefore, effective treatments of wastewaters crucial. Conventional techniques used treat these pose drawbacks, incomplete or efficient removal phenols. Recently, biocatalysts attracted much for sustainable toxic chemicals like phenols wastewaters. The advantages biocatalytic processes over conventional treatment methods ability operate a wide range operating conditions, consumption oxidants, simpler process control, no delays shock loading effects associated with start-up/shutdown plant. Among different biocatalysts, oxidoreductases (i.e., tyrosinase, laccase horseradish peroxidase) known green catalysts massive potentialities sustainably tackle phenolic contaminants concerns. Such enzymes mainly catalyze o-hydroxylation broad spectrum environmentally related into corresponding o-diphenols. This review covers latest advancement regarding exploitation oxidation wastewater, suggests way forward.