Engineered whole-cell biocatalyst-based detoxification and detection of neurotoxic organophosphate compounds

The development of efficient tools is required for the eco-friendly detoxification and effective detection of neurotoxic organophosphates (OPs). Although enzymes have received significant attention as biocatalysts because of their high specific activity, the uneconomic and labor-intensive processes of enzyme production and purification make their broad use in practical applications difficult. Because whole-cell systems offer several advantages compared with free enzymes, including high stability, a reduced purification requirement, and low preparation cost, they have been suggested as promising biocatalysts for the detoxification and detection of OPs. To develop efficient whole-cell biocatalysts with enhanced activity and a broad spectrum of substrate specificity, several factors have been considered, namely the selected strains, the chosen OP-hydrolyzing enzymes, where enzymes are localized in a cell, and which enhancer will assist the expression, function, and folding of the enzyme. In this article, we review the current investigative progress in the development of engineered whole-cell biocatalysts with excellent OP-hydrolyzing activity, a broad spectrum of substrate specificity, and outstanding stability for the detoxification and detection of OPs.