A Review on Enzymatic Degradation and Its Regulation Mechanisms for Organic Wastes

There is a growing interest on environmental pollution and loss of resources due to improper disposal of organic wastes. Biodegradation is one of the most effective methods for organic wastes recycle. Enzymes catalyze the rate-limiting steps in biodegradation and their activities are useful and effective proximate agents for the transformation and decomposition of organic wastes. Some earlier reviews have synthesized the microbial functions in biodegradation, yet enzymatic degradation and its regulation mechanisms for organic wastes are poorly known. The roles of enzymes on catalyzing biodegradation of organic matter, accelerating synthesis of humus and reducing toxicity of pollutants are summarized. Further, the regulation mechanisms of enzymatic degradation were explicitly explored including microorganisms, enzyme immobilization, physicochemical factors and additives. Enzymes are highly efficient, environmentally friendly and controllable, which play crucial roles for biodegradation of organic wastes. Finally, the need for further studies are highlighted, such as studies on (ⅰ)pathways and molecular mechanisms of enzymatic degradation, (ⅱ)metabolism of microorganism-enzyme-waste system, (ⅲ)regulation of enzymatic degradation by activators, (ⅳ)enzyme immobilization and (ⅴ)production and application of degrading enzymes. Those efforts are conducive to promote sustainable utilization of organic wastes.