Advances in the application of oxidative enzymes in biopolymer chemistry and biomaterial research

Enzymatic polymer synthesis is fast emerging as an alternative tool to chemical catalysts driven by advances in enzyme molecular engineering, increasing knowledge in enzyme reaction engineering and the desire to fulfill the goals of sustainable development. Among the enzymes actively exploited in polymer chemistry are oxidative enzymes, especially fungal laccases and peroxidases. The most fascinating features of these enzymes are their ability to generate reactive species which undergo non-enzymatic coupling and polymerization reactions. This chapter therefore summarizes the different approaches and strategies used in order to produce the desired functional polymers with oxidative enzymes. This is important given the multidisciplinary nature of enzyme polymer synthesis, which requires the integration of chemical engineering principles and enzyme catalysis. This chapter will therefore provide scientists from different backgrounds with an enzyme-based platform for developing functional polymers.