Description: Laccase and Polyphenol Oxidase: Biochemistry and Biotechnological Applications, a new volume in the Foundations and Frontiers in Enzymology series, provides a thorough discussion of the laccase and polyphenol oxidase enzyme families, which play key roles in the oxidation of phenolic substrates and are involved in a range of important biological functions in many organisms. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding these enzymes, but few resources exist on their fundamental biology, mechanisms, and applications. In this book, leading world experts discuss the biochemistry of laccase and polyphenol oxidases, research methods, and uses across industries, offering mechanistic and practical overviews of these important enzyme classes and empowering researchers to develop their own studies and hone applications. This book deftly connects topics across these intricate enzyme systems, with early chapters on the physicochemical properties of PPO and laccase, followed by separate sections on these related enzyme classes' function in biological and industrial systems, production, purification, active assays, and application areas from food and wine to bioremediation to green chemistry.
Brief description:
Dr. Leung is a Senior Lecturer in Biological Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. Dr. Leung attained his undergraduate and doctorate degrees at the University of Oxford, and began his independent research career at the University of Auckland in 2013. In 2018, he was appointed co-Deputy Director of the Centre for Green Chemistry Science at the University of Auckland. In 2021, Dr. Leung joined the University of Melbourne, where he is now part of the School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute.
Dr. Leung's research focuses on the study of enzyme structure, function, and modulation with an aim to help solve some of the world's most urgent challenges in health and sustainability. One of his main research interests is the study of multi-copper oxidase including polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and laccase.
Review Quotes: "...explores both the physiological roles and commercial application of these distinctive oxidoreductases. This book aims to provide a comprehensive discussion on PPO and laccase, focusing on their structural and biochemical characteristics, such as substrate specificity and reaction mechanisms. Additionally, it explores their potential industrial applications, including their roles in food and wine production as well as bioremediation processes. The editor characterizes this book as a 'guide to readers into these highly connected but intricate enzyme systems and topics, ' indicating that its intended audience is students and scientists seeking an introduction to the field." (c)Doody's Review Service, 2025, Peter Kennelly, PhD(Virginia Tech)