Immobilization of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis onto polymeric membrane surfaces: Effect of surface characteristics

β-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis: Characterization, production, immobilization and applications - A review

A review on the enzyme β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis is presented, from the perspective of its structure and mechanisms of action, the main catalyzed reactions, the key factors influencing its activity, and selectivity, as well as the main techniques used for improving the biocatalyst functionality. Particular attention was given to the discussion of hydrolysis, transglycosylation, and galactosylation reactions, which are commonly mediated by this enzyme. In addition, the products generated from these processes were highlighted. Finally, biocatalyst improvement techniques are also discussed, such as enzyme immobilization and protein engineering. On these topics, the most recent immobilization strategies are presented, emphasizing processes that not only allow the recovery of the biocatalyst but also deliver enzymes that show better resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and inhibitors. In addition, genetic engineering techniques to improve the catalytic properties of the β-galactosidases were reported. This review gathers information to allow the development of biocatalysts based on the β-galactosidase enzyme from K. lactis, aiming to improve existing bioprocesses or develop new ones.

Optimizing the immobilization conditions of β-galactosidase on UV-cured epoxy-based polymeric film using response surface methodology

UV-cured epoxy-based polymeric film was prepared from glycidyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and poly(ethylene glycol) methylether acrylate. 2-hydroxy-2- methylpropiophenone was used as photo initiator. Covalent binding through epoxy groups was employed to immobilize β-galactosidase from Escherichia coli onto this film, and immobilization conditions were optimized by the response surface methodology. ATR-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to characterize the epoxy-based polymeric film. Immobilization yield of β-galactosidase on the material was calculated as 3.57 mg/g and the highest enzyme activity for the immobilized enzyme recorded at pH 6.5°C and 60°C. The immobilized enzyme preserved 51% of its activity at the end of 12 runs. Free and immobilized enzyme hydrolyzed 163.8 and 172.3 µM lactose from 1% lactose, respectively. Kinetic parameters of both free and immobilized β-galactosidase were also investigated, and K_m values were determined to be 0.647 and 0.7263 mM, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In our study we prepared a UV-cured epoxy-based polymeric film and optimized the immobilization conditions of β-galactosidase from Escherichia coli onto this polymeric film by using response surface methodology (RSM). For this purpose, three-level and three-factor Box-Behnken design, which is an independent, rotatable or nearly rotatable, quadratic design, was applied. Optimal levels of three variables, namely, the amount of enzyme, immobilization time, and pH were determined using Box-Behnken experimental design. Lactose hydrolysis studies were performed from milk and lactose samples using free and immobilized enzyme. In addition, kinetic parameters, storage stability, and re-usability of immobilized β-galactosidase were examined.

Recent advances in β-galactosidase and fructosyltransferase immobilization technology

The highly demanding conditions of industrial processes may lower the stability and affect the activity of enzymes used as biocatalysts. Enzyme immobilization emerged as an approach to promote stabilization and easy removal of enzymes for their reusability. The aim of this review is to go through the principal immobilization strategies addressed to achieve optimal industrial processes with special care on those reported for two types of enzymes: β-galactosidases and fructosyltransferases. The main methods used to immobilize these two enzymes are adsorption, entrapment, covalent coupling and cross-linking or aggregation (no support is used), all of them having pros and cons. Regarding the support, it should be cost-effective, assure the reusability and an easy recovery of the enzyme, increasing its stability and durability. The discussion provided showed that the type of enzyme, its origin, its purity, together with the type of immobilization method and the support will affect the performance during the enzymatic synthesis. Enzymes' immobilization involves interdisciplinary knowledge including enzymology, nanotechnology, molecular dynamics, cellular physiology and process design. The increasing availability of facilities has opened a variety of possibilities to define strategies to optimize the activity and re-usability of β-galactosidases and fructosyltransferases, but there is still great place for innovative developments.

Polyethylenimine: a very useful ionic polymer in the design of immobilized enzyme biocatalysts

This review discusses the possible roles of polyethylenimine (PEI) in the design of improved immobilized biocatalysts from diverse perspectives.

Recyclable Strategy for the Production of High-Purity Galacto-oligosaccharides by Kluyveromyces lactis

A recyclable strategy for the production of high-purity (>95%) galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) was developed using Kluyveromyces lactis in both the synthesis and purification steps. For the synthesis of GOS, ethanol-permeabilized cells (p-cells) of K. lactis were used because the enhanced permeability facilitated the mass transfer of the substrate and the release of oligosaccharide products. For the purification of GOS, non-permeabilized K. lactis cells (np-cells) were preferred as a result of their intrinsic cell membrane barrier toward GOS, which led to the selective consumption of carbohydrate. In this way, undesired glucose, galactose, and lactose in the raw GOS solution can be completely removed. This strategy is recyclable not only because of the high stability and reusability of p-cells and np-cells but also because the ethanol, which is simultaneously generated during the purification, can be reused for the preparation of p-cells. The strategy proposed in this study is a promising candidate for the efficient production of high-purity GOS.

The effect of transmembrane pressure and feed flow rate on transgalactosylation of lactose in an enzymatic membrane reactor

The hydrolysis and transgalactosylation reaction of lactose in enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) with immobilized β-gal is affected by transmembrane pressure (TMP) and feed flow rate.

Immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β-Galactosidase on Cellulose Acetate-Polymethylmethacrylate Membrane and Its Application in Hydrolysis of Lactose from Milk and Whey

The present study demonstrates the immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase on cellulose acetate-polymethylmethacrylate (CA-PMMA) membrane and its application in hydrolyzing lactose in dairy industries. The effect of physical and chemical denaturants like pH, temperature, product inhibition by galactose, storage stability, and reuse number of the enzyme immobilized on CA-PMMA membrane has been investigated. Lactose was hydrolyzed from milk and whey in batch reactors at 50°C by free and immobilized β-galactosidase (IβG). Optimum pH for the free and immobilized enzyme was found to be the same, that is, 4.5. However, IβG retained greater fractions of catalytic activity at lower and higher pH ranges. The temperature optimum for the immobilized enzyme was increased by 10°C. Moreover, Michaelis-Menten constant was increased for IβG as compared to the native one while maximum reaction rate was reduced for the immobilized enzyme. The preserved activity of free and immobilized enzyme was found to be 45% and 83%, respectively, after five weeks of storage at 4°C. Reusability of IβG was observed to be 86% even after fifth repeated use, thereby signifying its application in lactose hydrolysis (as shown in lab-scale batch reactors) in various dairy products including milk and whey.

Preparation of novel poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted core-shell magnetic chitosan microspheres and immobilization of lactase

Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted magnetic chitosan microspheres (HG-MCM) were prepared using reversed-phase suspension polymerization method. The HG-MCM presented a core-shell structure and regular spherical shape with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) grafted onto the chitosan layer coating the Fe₃O₄ cores. The average diameter of the magnetic microspheres was 10.67 μm, within a narrow size distribution of 6.6–17.4 μm. The saturation magnetization and retentivity of the magnetic microspheres were 7.0033 emu/g and 0.6273 emu/g, respectively. The application of HG-MCM in immobilization of lactase showed that the immobilized enzyme presented higher storage, pH and thermal stability compared to the free enzyme. This indicates that HG-MCM have potential applications in bio-macromolecule immobilization.

Recent developments in manufacturing oligosaccharides with prebiotic functions

The market for prebiotics is steadily growing. To satisfy this increasing worldwide demand, the introduction of effective bioprocessing methods and implementation strategies is required. In this chapter, we review recent developments in the manufacture of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). These well-established oligosaccharides (OS) provide several health benefits and have excellent technological properties that make their use as food ingredients especially attractive. The biosyntheses of lactose-based GOS and sucrose-based FOS show similarities in terms of reaction mechanisms and product formation. Both GOS and FOS can be synthesized using whole cells or (partially) purified enzymes in immobilized or free forms. The biocatalysis results in a final product that consists of OS, unreacted disaccharides, and monosaccharides. This incomplete conversion poses a challenge to manufacturers because an enrichment of OS in this mixture adds value to the product. For removing digestible carbohydrates from OS, a variety of bioengineering techniques have been investigated, including downstream separation technologies, additional bioconversion steps applying enzymes, and selective fermentation strategies. This chapter summarizes the state-of-the-art manufacturing strategies and recent advances in bioprocessing technologies that can lead to new possibilities for manufacturing and purifying sucrose-based FOS and lactose-based GOS.