Enzymatic Decontamination: From Concept To Commercialization

摘要

The ability of enzymes to hydrolyze and detoxify organophosphorus compounds goes back nearly 60 years to when Mazur published work with mammalian tissues conducted during World War II. He determined that enzymatic activity in a variety of tissues could catalytically detoxify diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). More recently, a variety of enzymes with activity against G- and V-type nerve agents as well as organophosphorus pesticides have been identified from numerous sources, purified and characterized. A review of these enzymes can be found in a recent review. With several of these enzymes now available in industrial quantities, the concept of a limited capability enzyme-based decontaminant has reached fruition.