The multifaceted nature of plant acid phosphatases: purification, biochemical features, and applications

Acid phosphatases (EC 3.1.3.2) are the enzymes that catalyse transphosphorylation reactions and promotes the hydrolysis of numerous orthophosphate esters in acidic media, as a crucial element for the metabolism of phosphate in tissues. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) utilisation and scavenging, as well as the turnover of Pi-rich sources found in plant vacuoles, are major processes in which intracellular and secretory acid phosphatases function. Therefore, a thorough understanding of these enzymes' structural characteristics, specificity, and physiochemical properties is required to comprehend the function of acid phosphatases in plant energy metabolism. Furthermore, acid phosphatases are gaining increasing importance in industrial biotechnology due to their involvement in transphosphorylation processes and their ability to reduce phosphate levels in food products. Hence, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the purification methods employed for isolating acid phosphatases from diverse plant sources, as well as their structural and functional properties. Additionally, the review explores the potential applications of these enzymes in various fields.