Lactoperoxidase: From catalytic mechanism to practical applications

The catalytic activity and mechanism of lactoperoxidase is still being explored. New insights include a possible role of the reaction intermediate compound-III in (pseudo)catalase activity, the formation of a radical at an amino acid residue and interaction with NO. Although sometimes questioned, the finding that lactoperoxidase is present in human airway epithelia where it is the major hydrogen peroxide consumer shows the physiological relevance of some of these new insights. New developments on the applications of lactoperoxidase include new targets, e.g. Helicobacter pylori and powdery mildew, as well as synergistic combinations of lactoperoxidase with other antimicrobial compounds. A very promising development is the identification of the defense response of microorganisms when exposed to lactoperoxidase and its reaction products.