Synthesis of Dual-Responsive Materials with Reversible and Switchable Phase-Transition Properties for High-Performance Cellulose Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Reversible immobilization of cellulase on gelatin for efficient insoluble cellulose hydrolysis

Immobilized enzymes are one of the most common tools used in enzyme engineering, as they can substantially reduce the cost of enzyme isolation and use. However, efficient catalysis of solid substrates using immobilized enzymes is challenging, hydrolysis of insoluble cellulose by immobilized cellulases is a typical example of this problem. In this study, inspired by bees and honeycombs, we prepared gelatin-modified cellulase (BEE) and gelatin hydrogels (HONEYCOMB) to achieve reversible recycling versus release of cellulase through temperature-responsive changes in the triple-stranded helix-like interactions between BEE and HONEYCOMB. At elevated temperatures, BEE was released from HONEYCOMB and participated in hydrolytic saccharification. After 24 h, the glucose yields of both the free enzyme and BEE reached the same level. When the temperature was decreased, BEE recombined with HONEYCOMB to facilitate the effective separation and recycling of BEE from the system. The enzymatic system retained >70 % activity after four reuse cycles. In addition, this system showed good biocompatibility and environmental safety. This method increases the mass transfer capacity and enables easy recovery of immobilized cellulase, thereby serving as a valuable strategy for the immobilization of other enzymes.

Cellulase immobilization to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass: An all-inclusive review

Cellulase-mediated lignocellulosic biorefinery plays a crucial role in the production of high-value biofuels and chemicals, with enzymatic hydrolysis being an essential component. The advent of cellulase immobilization has revolutionized this process, significantly enhancing the efficiency, stability, and reusability of cellulase enzymes. This review offers a thorough analysis of the fundamental principles underlying immobilization, encompassing various immobilization approaches such as physical adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, and cross-linking. Furthermore, it explores a diverse range of carrier materials, including inorganic, organic, and hybrid/composite materials. The review also focuses on emerging approaches like multi-enzyme co-immobilization, oriented immobilization, immobilized enzyme microreactors, and enzyme engineering for immobilization. Additionally, it delves into novel carrier technologies like 3D printing carriers, stimuli-responsive carriers, artificial cellulosomes, and biomimetic carriers. Moreover, the review addresses recent obstacles in cellulase immobilization, including molecular-level immobilization mechanism, diffusion limitations, loss of cellulase activity, cellulase leaching, and considerations of cost-effectiveness and scalability. The knowledge derived from this review is anticipated to catalyze the evolution of more efficient and sustainable biocatalytic systems for lignocellulosic biomass conversion, representing the current state-of-the-art in cellulase immobilization techniques.

Cellulase Immobilization on Nanostructured Supports for Biomass Waste Processing

Nanobiocatalysts, i.e., enzymes immobilized on nanostructured supports, received considerable attention because they are potential remedies to overcome shortcomings of traditional biocatalysts, such as low efficiency of mass transfer, instability during catalytic reactions, and possible deactivation. In this short review, we will analyze major aspects of immobilization of cellulase-an enzyme for cellulosic biomass waste processing-on nanostructured supports. Such supports provide high surface areas, increased enzyme loading, and a beneficial environment to enhance cellulase performance and its stability, leading to nanobiocatalysts for obtaining biofuels and value-added chemicals. Here, we will discuss such nanostructured supports as carbon nanotubes, polymer nanoparticles (NPs), nanohydrogels, nanofibers, silica NPs, hierarchical porous materials, magnetic NPs and their nanohybrids, based on publications of the last five years. The use of magnetic NPs is especially favorable due to easy separation and the nanobiocatalyst recovery for a repeated use. This review will discuss methods for cellulase immobilization, morphology of nanostructured supports, multienzyme systems as well as factors influencing the enzyme activity to achieve the highest conversion of cellulosic biowaste into fermentable sugars. We believe this review will allow for an enhanced understanding of such nanobiocatalysts and processes, allowing for the best solutions to major problems of sustainable biorefinery.

Research Progress on Lignocellulosic Biomass Degradation Catalyzed by Enzymatic Nanomaterials

Lignocellulose biomass (LCB) has extensive applications in many fields such as bioenergy, food, medicines, and raw materials for producing value-added products. One of the keys to efficient utilization of LCB is to obtain directly available oligo- and monomers (e.g., glucose). With the characteristics of easy recovery and separation, high efficiency, economy, and environmental protection, immobilized enzymes have been developed as heterogeneous catalysts to degrade LCB effectively. In this review, applications and mechanisms of LCB-degrading enzymes are discussed, and the nanomaterials and methods used to immobilize enzymes are also discussed. Finally, the research progress of lignocellulose biodegradation catalyzed by nano-enzymes was discussed.

Dual Responsive Molecular-Arm Modified Single Enzyme Molecules for Efficient Cellulose Hydrolysis

Immobilizing cellulase for improving its hydrolysis activity and recyclability is critical for a cost-effective and environment-friendly conversion of cellulosic biomass. However, developing a strategy for achieving a high mass-transfer rate and good separation efficiency between an insoluble cellulose substrate and cellulase remains difficult. Instead of the traditional method, a single-enzyme molecular modification method is used in this study. To modify cellulase and provide it with a temperature-pH dual responsive property, systemized poly (acrylic acid)-polyacrylonitrile (PAA-PAN) molecular arms are used. The modified cellulase could reversibly transform between liquid and solid phases. In the liquid phase, the modified cellulase could adjust its active center, increasing its hydrolysis efficiency and separation efficiency. Cellulase and glucose products could be easily separated in the solid phase, allowing the reuse of cellulase. The results showed that the modified cellulase's hydrolysis efficiency is comparable to that of free cellulase and that the modified enzyme preserved more than 60% of its initial activity after 15 batches of efficient hydrolysis. Thus, the proposed modification route considerably lowers the cost of cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Anemone-inspired enzymatic film for cellulose heterogeneous catalysis

High-value utilization of cellulosic biomasses via the most promising enzymatic method is the key to solve a series of global strategic issues but its industrialization was seriously hindered by the high cost. Immobilization of enzyme to realize its recycling is one solution; however, how to capture and hydrolyze the insoluble cellulose effectively via the immobilization system remains challenging. Herein, inspired by the predation process of the sea anemone, a cost-effective biomimetic cellulase-loaded enzymatic film was constructed. The cellulase loaded on the film can adjust its spatial orientation freely, thus their catalytic centres can easily reach the surface of the cellulose to perform the "predation" process effectively. As a result, this immobilization system can largely increase the efficiency of the insoluble cellulose hydrolysis and can be recycled for at least 8 cycles without activities loss. Therefore, it can largely reduce the cost of the cellulose conversion in the industrial areas.

One-pot preparation of a multi-functional enzymatically generated gelatin hydrogel with controllable antibacterial and hemorheological properties

The creation of multi-functional bio-hydrogels with tunable properties that meet in vivo demands is significant but remains challenging. Inspired by host-guest chemistry, a novel multi-functional gelatin-based bio-hydrogel with tunable antibacterial and hemorheological properties (TAH-GEL) is synthesized via an in situ one-pot strategy. TAH-GEL not only exhibits excellent mechanical properties but also shows promising self-healing and bio-compatibility features. For the first time, this biomaterial presents controllable antibacterial and hemorheological properties by controlling the TAH-GEL polypseudorotaxane motif. The resulting bio-hydrogel is easy to prepare and delivers superior performance, making it a powerful tool for bio-applications, such as hemostatic materials.