Electron Transfer

Abstract

Oxidoreductases are a special class of enzymes that use the redox mechanism for the efficient transformation of organic substrates. Most oxidoreductases contain metals in the active site and, for optimal functioning, require the participation of a small co-substrate with the ability to donate electrons. From the multitude of enzymes with economic and applicable potential, the authors focused their attention on three particular classes: catalases, peroxidases, and laccases. Catalases and peroxidases contain heme iron in their active sites and most often require electron donors such as oxygen or hydrogen peroxide while laccase contains copper and demands special co-substrates such as 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) or syringaldehyde. The theoretical aspects regarding the mechanism in which the electron transfer of the three enzymes is involved as well as the practical applications of the selected enzymes in the field of environmental remediation will be the subject of this chapter.