Polymer Based Formulation and Immobilization Approaches in Enzymatic Detoxification of Organophosphorus Compounds: A Review

Organophosphorus Compounds are highly toxic chemicals that have application in production of warfare agents and agricultural pesticides. Detoxification of areas that have been exposed to these types of materials is of vital importance and several approaches have been used for this purpose. Biodegradation of organophosphates is one of these approaches that is in the center of attention due to its high performance and environmental friendly nature. The key component in this approach are enzymes. Like many other industrial processes that employ enzymes, biodegradation of organophosphates has its own limitations. During recent years researches have focused on addressing this limitations and devising new ways to overcome them. One possible method is improving enzymatic formulations to gain decontamination systems with better detoxification efficiency. Immobilization has also been exercised in many ways to answer some of shortcomings in biodegradation of this compounds. Here, we will review enzymatic formulations of Organophosphates degrading enzymes with specific focus on polymer based approaches and immobilization techniques.