PFAS properties and destruction methods: A focus on enzymatic degradation

Abstract Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as ‘forever’ chemicals and have lasting detrimental impact on the environment and living organisms. To understand PFAS molecules better, this review begins with an overview of PFAS definition, classifications and applications, and then provides a comprehensive summary and critical analysis of physical properties [e.g. vapor pressure, water solubility, Henry's constant, critical micelle concentration (CMC) and octanol–water partition coefficient K ow ] and chemical properties (bond strength and degradation half‐time) of common PFAS. Furthermore, PFAS destruction methods are discussed based on two categories: nonbiological and biological. First, major nonbiological degradation methods (i.e. thermal, sonochemical, electrochemical oxidation, plasma technology and photocatalysis) are compared in terms of their mechanisms, efficiency, energy consumption and challenges. Next, we focus on biological approaches, which include microbial (enzymes in microorganisms) and enzymatic (isolated enzymes) methods, and describe various mechanisms of key enzymes in PFAS degradation, such as fluoroacetate dehalogenase (FAcD), cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases, laccases and cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). This review underscores fundamental challenges in PFAS degradation, analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of different destruction methods, and elucidates various enzymatic mechanisms driving the breakdown of xenobiotic substances. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).