A Perspective of Laccase-Metal Organic Framework Biocomposites for Potential Bioremediation of Dyes

Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 4045 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: fauziah176@uitm.edu.my

Abstract

The persistence of synthetic dyes in aquatic systems, primarily originating from textile and industrial effluents, poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health due to their structural stability, toxicity, and resistance to conventional treatments. Enzyme-based biocatalysis has emerged as a sustainable strategy for dye degradation because of its selectivity and ability to operate under mild conditions without generating harmful by-products. However, the practical application of free enzymes is restricted by poor stability, sensitivity to operational environments, and limited recyclability. To address these challenges, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely investigated as protective and functional supports for enzyme immobilization. Their high porosity, tunable surface chemistry, and structural versatility allow for enhanced enzyme stability, activity retention, and reusability, while simultaneously contributing to adsorption-driven pollutant removal. Notably, biocomposites such as laccase@ZIF-8 and HRP@UiO-66-NH₂ have demonstrated superior catalytic performance in degrading azo and aromatic dyes, even under harsh effluent conditions. Moreover, the adsorption of green synthesis methods which include aqueous routes, biomimetic mineralization, and mechanochemical fabrication has further improved the environmental compatibility and scalability of enzyme-MOF (E-MOF) biocomposites. These advances highlight the dual potential of E-MOFs to couple biocatalysis with adsorption within a sustainable framework. Overall, green-synthesized E-MOFs represent a promising platform for efficient dye remediation and hold strong potential for translation from laboratory studies to industrial wastewater treatment applications.