Recent advances in the use of laccase enzyme in deep eutectic solvents

Laccase enzymes have enormous applications in various fields including textile, bioremediation, water purification and biofuel industries. However, the utility of laccases is limited due to poor stability and activity under different industrial operating conditions. There has been extensive research on improving the activity of laccases by enzyme engineering and solvent engineering approaches. In solvent engineering approaches, laccase has been studied in non-aqueous solvents such as ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). DESs are greener and more sustainable in nature compared to ILs. DESs have many advantages, for example, inexpensive, less toxic, and easy preparation methods. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no comprehensive reviews focusing specifically on studies related to laccase in DESs. In this review, we discussed the laccase activity and stability in various DESs considering the existing literature. In addition, we also discussed about the correlation between laccase interaction with different types of DESs components and descriptors which can regulate the activity of laccase. Finally, we highlighted the need for future research along the lines of the laccase-DESs greener systems which can provide significant insights into the development of laccase-DESs systems leading to the green and sustainable methods for wide range of applications. •Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) emerged as promising alternative solvents in the field of biocatalysis.•DESs are easy to prepare, greener, sustainable and can be designed based on the requirement.•Laccase enzyme stability and activity can be tuned using appropriate DES and use it in various industries such as textile, paper, biofuel and pharmaceutical industries.•DESs having betaine and polyols can be better choice for laccase enzyme.