Lignin valorisation into functional nanocarriers and nanoparticle-enabled enzyme immobilisation: Emerging strategies for sustainable detoxification of agroecosystems

The widespread use of agrochemicals has contributed significantly to environmental contamination, necessitating the development of advanced remediation technologies. This review critically evaluates recent advances in nanoparticle-assisted biocatalysis, focusing on enzyme immobilisation strategies and lignin-derived nanocarriers for sustainable agroecosystem remediation. Nanoparticle-assisted biocatalytic systems enhance enzyme stability, reusability, and catalytic performance, offering an efficient approach for pollutant degradation. Simultaneously, enzymatic and nanoparticle-assisted lignin valorisation provides a sustainable route for converting agricultural waste into value-added products. Functional nanomaterials, including magnetic oxides, silica-based materials, and metal-organic frameworks, offer high surface area, structural stability, and facile recovery, thereby improving immobilisation efficiency and operational stability and reusability. Immobilised enzymes have shown strong potential for degrading pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceutical pollutants under diverse agro-environmental conditions. Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers further enable controlled enzyme activation and improved degradation kinetics for in situ remediation applications. Recent advances in synthetic biology, recombinant expression systems, and protein engineering have enhanced enzyme specificity, stability, production efficiency, and adaptability for field-scale. Overall, lignin-derived nanocarriers and nanoparticle-assisted enzyme immobilisation significantly improve biocatalytic efficiency and environmental applicability, representing promising environmentally sustainable strategies for sustainable pollutant remediation and circular bioeconomy development.