glyoxal oxidases display differential catalytic efficiencies on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and its oxidized derivatives.

Background: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a major residual component of a lignocellulosic bio-refinery process, can be transformed into fundamental building blocks for green chemistry via oxidation. While chemical methods are well established, interest is also being directed into the enzymatic oxidation of HMF into the bio-plastic precursor 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA).

Results: We demonstrate that three glyoxal oxidases (GLOX) isoenzymes from the Basidiomycete fungus were able to oxidize HMF, with GLOX2 and GLOX3 being the most efficient.