Microbial enzymes: comprehensive insights into production, optimization, and current and emerging pharmaceutical applications

Throughout the history of therapeutic science enzymes play a crucial role in traditional and modern therapeutic practices, with microbial enzymes being a sustainable and efficient biocatalytic resource for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. This review provides a comprehensive examination of microbial enzymes, covering their structural and biochemical properties, production optimization, purification methods, kinetic behavior, and their applications in pharmaceutical and therapeutic fields. We systematically surveyed the peer-reviewed literature to synthesize current knowledge on microbial enzyme sources, strain development strategies, fermentation optimization, downstream purification, kinetic characterization, and pharmaceutical applications. Microbial enzymes dominate the global enzyme market due to their selectivity, efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Advances in molecular biology and genetic engineering have led to the development of enzymes with enhanced stability and activity. Immobilization and nanotechnology have further improved enzyme stability, reduced degradation, and lowered production costs, expanding their pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. Microbial enzymes are versatile biocatalysts with significant pharmaceutical value, and ongoing research into novel enzyme candidates and advanced biotechnological approaches is crucial for enhancing enzyme-based therapies. We contend that microbial enzymes will remain central to future drug development, offering sustainable, biocompatible, and highly specific solutions to unmet medical needs across oncology, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and infectious disease.