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Aims:  Investigation of waste pulps and soda pulp bleaching with xylanase (X) and laccase mediator system (LMS) alone and in conjunction (one after the other) (XLMS). Methods and Results:  Soda and different grades of waste pulp fibres [used for making three‐layered duplex sheets – top layer (TL), protective layer (PL) and bottom layer (BL)] when pretreated with either xylanase (40·0 IU g−1) or LMS (up to 200·0 U g−1) alone and in combination (one after the other) (XLMS) exhibited an increase in release of reducing sugars [up to 881·0% soda pulp; up to 736·6% (TL), up to 215·7% (PL) and up to 198·0% (BL) waste pulp], reduction in kappa number [up to 17·6% soda pulp; up to 14·0% (TL), up to 25·3% (PL) and up to 10·9% (BL), waste pulp], improvement in brightness [up to 20·4% soda pulp; up to 23·6% (TL), up to 8·6% (PL) and up to 5·0% (BL), waste pulp] when compared with the respective controls. The usage of XLMS along with 15% reduced level of hypochlorite at CEHHXLMS/EHHXLMS bleaching stage reduced kappa number [5·5% soda pulp; 11·4% (TL), 7·9% (PL), waste pulp] and improved brightness [1·0% soda pulp; 0·9% (TL), 1·4% (PL) waste pulp] when compared with the controls. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed development of cracks, flakes, pores and peeling off the fibres in the enzyme‐treated pulp samples. These modifications of the fibre surface during enzymatic bleaching in turn indicated the removal of lignin and derived compounds from the fibre cell wall. Conclusions:  The work describes synergistic action of xylanase with LMS for bleaching of waste and nonwood pulps for eco‐friendly production of paper and thus reveals a new unexploited arena for enzyme‐based pulp bleaching. Significance and Impact of the Study:  The drastic improvement in pulp properties obtained after xylanase and LMS treatment would improve the competitiveness of enzyme–based, environmentally benign processes over chemicals both economically and environmentally.

Removal of EDCs by laccase cross-linked enzyme aggregates in fixed-bed reactors or fluidized-bed reactors and laccase immobilized ultrafiltration (LIUF) membranes are proving their worth in water purification technology. The major operational issues with the use of LIUF membranes are enzyme instability in real wastewater and membrane fouling. In view of the above-stated characteristics, laccases are considered as the most promising enzyme for a greener and less expensive water purification technology.

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Cyclotides is a rapidly growing class of plant‐derived cyclic peptides exhibiting several bioactivities with potential applications in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. Both natural and grafted cyclotides have shown promise in cancer therapy. Approximately 70 natural cyclotides belonging to three plant families (Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Violaceae) have shown cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. Cyclotides exhibit considerable stability against thermal and enzymatic proteolysis, owing to their unique structure with knotted topology and head to tail cyclization. Further, their small size, high stability, oral bioavailability, and tolerance to amino acid substitution in structural loops make them an ideal platform for designing peptide‐based drugs for cancer. Thus, cyclotides provide ideal scaffolds for bioactive epitope grafting and facilitating drug delivery in cancer treatment. Many anticancer linear peptides have been grafted in cysteine knotted cyclic framework of cyclotide for enhancing their cell permeability across cellular membranes, thereby improving their delivery and pharmacokinetics. The present review comprehensively discusses the distribution, toxicity, and anticancer bioactivity of natural cyclotides. Further, it systematically elaborates on the role and action of epitopes' into grafted cyclotides in targeting cancer. The review also encompasses related patents landscape study and future challenges in peptide‐based cancer therapy.