Application of marine bacterial alginate lyases in wastewater treatment, biofilm removal and green technology

Abstract

Alginate lyases are a class of enzymes capable of cleaving alginate, a major structural polysaccharide present in the cell walls of brown algae. In recent years, marine bacteria have emerged as a valuable and diverse source of these enzymes, owing to their unique adaptations to extreme marine conditions such as high salinity, variable potential of hydrogen, and fluctuating temperatures. Marine-derived alginate lyases exhibit remarkable enzymatic characteristics, including salt tolerance, thermal stability, substrate specificity, and diverse catalytic mechanisms, making them attractive for various industrial applications. The primary function of these enzymes lies in depolymerizing alginate into alginate oligosaccharides, which possess notable biological activities. Alginate oligosaccharides have shown significant potential across multiple sectors, such as pharmaceuticals (e.g., antitumor, immunomodulatory), agriculture (e.g., plant biostimulants), food (e.g., prebiotics), wastewater treatment, and bioenergy production. These applications are further enhanced by the enzymes’ compatibility with green processing technologies and sustainable resource utilization. This study provides a comprehensive overview of marine alginate lyases, focusing on their enzymatic properties, catalytic mechanisms, and industrial relevance. It also highlights future directions for their development and application. Advancements in molecular biology, protein engineering, and synthetic biology have accelerated the identification and development of novel alginate lyases, expanding the repertoire of polysaccharide lyase families. Furthermore, in-depth understanding of their β-elimination catalytic mechanisms—whether via histidine/tyrosine-based or metal ion-assisted pathways—has enabled enzyme engineering for improved performance under industrial conditions. Despite notable progress, challenges remain in achieving efficient large-scale production, enhancing enzyme robustness, and fine-tuning catalytic properties. This review discusses the enzymatic features, catalytic mechanisms, and emerging applications of alginate lyases from marine bacteria, while exploring future perspectives including biofilm degradation, wastewater treatment, and biodegradable materials. The strategic development of alginate lyases may play a vital role in advancing sustainable biotechnologies and circular bioeconomy. The study objectives were to offer an in-depth primer on recent advances in the discovery and characterization of alginate lyases from marine bacteria.

Keywords

• alginate lyase
• alginate oligosaccharides
• green technology
• marine bacteria
• seaweed