Catalases as biocatalysts in technical applications: current state and perspectives

Catalases represent a class of enzymes which has found its place among industrially relevant biocatalysts due to their exceptional catalytic rate and high stability. Textile bleaching prior to the dyeing process is the main application and has been performed on a large scale for the past few decades. Their limited substrate scope has not prevented the development of various other catalase-based applications. Newly developed approaches continue to exploit their excellent catalytic potential to degrade hydrogen peroxide while (per)oxidase activity of catalases is opening a new range of possibilities as well. This review provides an overview of applications that involve heme-containing catalases that have been demonstrated in recent years.