oxidaselike

Oxidaselike is an umbrella term used in biochemistry and materials science to describe systems that exhibit oxidation reactions similar to those catalyzed by oxidases. Oxidases are a subset of oxidoreductases that transfer electrons from substrates to molecular oxygen, typically producing water or hydrogen peroxide. The qualifier oxidaselike is applied to both natural enzymes engineered to display oxidase-like behavior and to synthetic catalysts that mimic the oxidation chemistry of oxidases, including many nanozymes.

In nanoscience, oxidaselike activity is often observed in metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and other nanomaterials. These systems can oxidize substrates using molecular oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor, sometimes generating reactive oxygen species, depending on the material and conditions. The activities are studied for practical use in biosensing, where colorimetric or electrochemical readouts arise from substrate oxidation, as well as in environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications.

Examples frequently cited include cerium oxide nanoparticles and other transition metal oxides that show robust oxidaselike activity under ambient conditions. The term emphasizes function rather than originating enzyme class, reflecting a trend toward engineered or composite catalysts that replicate natural oxidase reactions without requiring complex biological regulation.

Limitations include lower substrate specificity compared with authentic oxidases, sensitivity to pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration, and potential concerns about toxicity for in vivo use. Research continues to optimize performance, selectivity, and safety of oxidaselike systems.

See also: oxidoreductases, oxidases, nanozymes, catalysis.