Fusarium solani pisi cutinase-catalyzed synthesis of polyamides

N-Amidation of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds: Can We Apply Enzymatic Tools?

Amide bond is often seen in value-added nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, which can present promising chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical significance. However, current synthesis methods in the preparation of amide-containing N-heterocyclic compounds have low specificity (large amount of by-products) and efficiency. In this study, we focused on reviewing the feasible enzymes (nitrogen acetyltransferase, carboxylic acid reductase, lipase, and cutinase) for the amidation of N-heterocyclic compounds; summarizing their advantages and weakness in the specific applications; and further predicting candidate enzymes through in silico structure-functional analysis. For future prospects, current enzymes demand further engineering and improving for practical industrial applications and more enzymatic tools need to be explored and developed for a broader range of N-heterocyclic substrates.

Cross-linked enzyme aggregates immobilization: preparation, characterization, and applications

Enzymes are commonly used as biocatalysts for various biological and chemical processes. However, some major drawbacks of free enzymes (e.g. poor reusability and instability) significantly restrict their industrial practices. How to overcome these weaknesses remain considerable challenges. Enzyme immobilization is one of the most effective ways to improve the reusability and stability of enzymes. Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) has been known as a novel and versatile carrier-free immobilization method. CLEAs is attractive due to its simplicity and robustness, without purification. It generally shows: high catalytic specificity and selectivity, good operational and storage stabilities, and good reusability. Moreover, co-immobilization of different kinds of enzymes can be acquired. These CLEAs advantages provide opportunities for further industrial applications. Herein, the preparation parameters of CLEAs were first summarized. Next, characterization of structural and catalytic properties, stability and reusability are also proposed. Finally, some important applications of this technique in: environmental protection, industrial chemistry, food industry, and pharmaceutical synthesis and delivery are introduced. Potential challenges and future research directions, such as improving cross-linking efficiency and internal mass transfer efficiency, are also presented. This implies that CLEAs provide an efficient and feasible technique to improve the properties of enzymes for use in the industry.

Enzymatic Synthesis of Muconic Acid-Based Polymers: Trans, Trans-Dimethyl Muconate and Trans, β-Dimethyl Hydromuconate

The vast majority of commodity polymers are acquired from petrochemical feedstock, and these resources will plausibly be depleted within the next 100 years. Therefore, the utilization of carbon-neutral renewable resources for the production of polymers is crucial in modern green chemistry. Herein, we report an eco-friendly strategy that uses enzyme catalysis to design biobased unsaturated (co)polyesters from muconic acid derivatives. This method is an attractive pathway for the production of well-defined unsaturated polyesters with minimum side reactions. A suite of characterization techniques was performed to probe the reaction mechanism and properties of the obtained polyesters. It is rationalized that the alkene functionality of the muconate monomers plays an important role in the enzyme catalysis mechanism. The rendered polyesters possessed excellent thermal stabilities and unreacted alkene functionality that can consecutively undergo chain extension, copolymerization, or act as an anchor for other functional groups. These properties open new avenues in the fields of unsaturated polyester resins and photosensitive coatings.

Catalytic C-H Functionalization of Unreactive Furan Cores in Bio-Derived Platform Chemicals

C-H functionalization is one of the most convenient and powerful tools in the arsenal of modern chemistry, deservedly nominated as the "Holy Grail" of organic synthesis. A frequent disadvantage of this method is the need for harsh reaction conditions to carry out transformations of inert C-H bonds, which limits the possibility of its use for modifying less stable substrates. Biomass-derived furan platform chemicals, which have a relatively unstable aromatic furan core and highly reactive side chain substituents, are extremely promising and valuable organic molecules that are currently widely used in a variety of research and industrial fields. The high sensitivity of furan derivatives to acids, strong oxidants, and high temperatures significantly limits the use of classical methods of C-H functionalization for their modification. New methods of catalytic functionalization of non-reactive furan cores are urgently required to obtain a new generation of materials with controlled properties and potentially bioactive substances.

Recent advances in the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters by sustainable polymerization: lipase-catalyzed polymerization

Over the past three decades, enzymatic polymerization has dramatically developed and gradually broadened as a creative methodology in the construction of polymeric materials with tailor-made structures and properties. Compared with transition metal catalyst polymerizations, enzymatic polymerization is more attractive in the biomedicine field due to the metal-free residue, good biocompatibility, and few by-products. Meanwhile, enzymatic polymerization has far more activity towards macrolides. In this review, the synthesis of lipase-catalyzed polymer materials is systematically summarized, focusing on the synthesis of the complex and well-defined polymers. The enzymatic polyester synthesis was then discussed concerning the different reaction types, including ring-opening polymerization, polycondensation, a combination of ring-opening polymerization with polycondensation, and chemoenzymatic polymerization. Besides, exploration of novel biocatalysts and reaction media was also described, with particular emphasis on the enzymes obtained via immobilization or protein engineering strategies, green solvents, and reactors. Finally, recent developments in catalytic kinetics and mechanistic studies through the use of spectroscopy, mathematics, and computer techniques have been introduced. Besides, we addressed the remaining central issues in enzymatic polymerization and discussed current studies aimed at providing answers.

Lipase-Catalyzed Transamidation of Urethane-Bond-Containing Ester

Significant improvement in mechanical properties and shape recovery in polyurethanes can be obtained by cross-linking, usually performed in a traditional chemical fashion. Here, we report model studies of enzymatic transamidations of urethane-bond-containing esters to study the principles of an enzymatic build-up of covalent cross-linked polyurethane networks via amide bond formation. The Lipase-catalyzed transamidation reaction of a urethane-bond-containing model ester ethyl 2-(hexylcarbamoyloxy)propanoate with various amines is discussed. A side product was formed, that could be successfully identified, and its synthesis reduced to a minimum (<1%). Furthermore, a noncatalyzed transamidation that is performed without CalB as the catalyst could be observed. Both observations are due to the known high reactivity of amines with urethane bonds.

Lipase-catalysed polycondensation of levulinic acid derived diol-diamide monomers: access to new poly(ester-co-amide)s

A new family of biobased poly(ester-co-amide)s is reported from the enzymatic polycondensation of a library of levulinic acid derived diol-diamide monomers with diesters.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Renewable Plant Oil-Based Polyamides

Enzyme catalyzed synthesis of renewable polyamides was investigated using Candida antarctica lipase B. A fatty acid-derived AB-type functional monomer, having one amine and one methyl ester functionality, was homopolymerized at 80 and 140 °C. Additionally, the organobase 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) was used as a catalyst. The results from the two catalysts were comparable. However, the amount of lipase added was 1.2 × 10³ times lower, showing that the lipase was a more efficient catalyst for this system as compared to TBD. Moreover, the AB-type monomer was copolymerized with 1,12-diaminododecane to synthesize oligoamides of two different lengths.

CLEAs, Combi-CLEAs and ‘Smart’ Magnetic CLEAs: Biocatalysis in a Bio-Based Economy

Biocatalysis has emerged in the last decade as a pre-eminent technology for enabling the envisaged transition to a more sustainable bio-based economy. For industrial viability it is essential that enzymes can be readily recovered and recycled by immobilization as solid, recyclable catalysts. One method to achieve this is via carrier-free immobilization as cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs). This methodology proved to be very effective with a broad selection of enzymes, in particular carbohydrate-converting enzymes. Methods for optimizing CLEA preparations by, for example, adding proteic feeders to promote cross-linking, and strategies for making the pores accessible for macromolecular substrates are critically reviewed and compared. Co-immobilization of two or more enzymes in combi-CLEAs enables the cost-effective use of multiple enzymes in biocatalytic cascade processes and the use of “smart” magnetic CLEAs to separate the immobilized enzyme from other solids has raised the CLEA technology to a new level of industrial and environmental relevance. Magnetic-CLEAs of polysaccharide-converting enzymes, for example, are eminently suitable for use in the conversion of first and second generation biomass.

Furan-Based Copolyesters from Renewable Resources: Enzymatic Synthesis and Properties

Enzymatic polymerization provides an excellent opportunity for the conversion of renewable resources into polymeric materials in an effective and sustainable manner. A series of furan-based copolyesters was synthesized withM w ‾ up to 35 kg mol-1 , by using Novozyme 435 as a biocatalyst and dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate (DMFDCA), 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF), aliphatic linear diols, and diacid ethyl esters as monomers. The synthetic mechanism was evaluated by the variation of aliphatic linear monomers and their feed compositions. Interestingly, there was a significant decrease in the molecular weight if the aliphatic monomers were changed from diols to diacid ethyl esters. The obtained copolyesters were thoroughly characterized and compared with their polyester analogs. These findings provide a closer insight into the application of enzymatic polymerization techniques in designing sustainable high-performance polymers.

A Middle-Aged Enzyme Still in Its Prime: Recent Advances in the Field of Cutinases

Cutinases are α/β hydrolases, and their role in nature is the degradation of cutin. Such enzymes are usually produced by phytopathogenic microorganisms in order to penetrate their hosts. The first focused studies on cutinases started around 50 years ago. Since then, numerous cutinases have been isolated and characterized, aiming at the elucidation of their structure–function relations. Our deeper understanding of cutinases determines the applications by which they could be utilized; from food processing and detergents, to ester synthesis and polymerizations. However, cutinases are mainly efficient in the degradation of polyesters, a natural function. Therefore, these enzymes have been successfully applied for the biodegradation of plastics, as well as for the delicate superficial hydrolysis of polymeric materials prior to their functionalization. Even though research on this family of enzymes essentially began five decades ago, they are still involved in many reports; novel enzymes are being discovered, and new fields of applications arise, leading to numerous related publications per year. Perhaps the future of cutinases lies in their evolved descendants, such as polyesterases, and particularly PETases. The present article reviews the biochemical and structural characteristics of cutinases and cutinase-like hydrolases, and their applications in the field of bioremediation and biocatalysis.

Enzymatic Polymerization of Dimethyl 2,5-Furandicarboxylate and Heteroatom Diamines

Previously, we have synthesized a diverse range of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)-based semiaromatic polyamides via enzymatic polymerization. This novel class of polymers are biobased alternatives to polyphthalamides, which are petrol-based semiaromatic polyamides. From a commercial perspective, they have interesting properties as high-performance materials and engineering thermoplastics. It is even more appealing to explore novel FDCA-based polyamides with added functionality, for the development of sustainable functional materials. Here, a set of FDCA-based heteroatom polyamides have been successfully produced via Novozyme 435 (N435)-catalyzed polymerization of biobased dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate with (potentially)heteroatom diamines, namely, 4,9-dioxa-1,12-dodecanediamine (DODA), diethylenetriamine, and 3,3-ethylenediiminopropylamine. We performed the enzymatic polymerization in solution and bulk. The latter approach is more sustainable and results in higher molecular weight products. Among the tested heteroatom diamines, N435 shows the highest catalytic activity toward DODA. Furthermore, we find that all obtained FDCA-based heteroatom polyamides are amorphous materials with a relatively high thermal stability. These heteroatom polyamides display a glass-transition temperature ranging from 41 to 107 °C.

Enzymatic Synthesis of Amino Acids Endcapped Polycaprolactone: A Green Route Towards Functional Polyesters

ε-caprolactone (CL) has been enzymatically polymerized using α-amino acids based on sulfur (methionine and cysteine) as (co-)initiators and immobilized lipase B of Candida antarctica (CALB) as biocatalyst. In-depth characterizations allowed determining the corresponding involved mechanisms and the polymers thermal properties. Two synthetic strategies were tested, a first one with direct polymerization of CL with the native amino acids and a second one involving the use of an amino acid with protected functional groups. The first route showed that mainly polycaprolactone (PCL) homopolymer could be obtained and highlighted the lack of reactivity of the unmodified amino acids due to poor solubility and affinity with the lipase active site. The second strategy based on protected cysteine showed higher monomer conversion, with the amino acids acting as (co-)initiators, but their insertion along the PCL chains remained limited to chain endcapping. These results thus showed the possibility to synthesize enzymatically polycaprolactone-based chains bearing amino acids units. Such cysteine endcapped PCL materials could then find application in the biomedical field. Indeed, subsequent functionalization of these polyesters with drugs or bioactive molecules can be obtained, by derivatization of the amino acids, after removal of the protecting group.

His-Tag Immobilization of Cutinase 1 From Thermobifida cellulosilytica for Solvent-Free Synthesis of Polyesters

For many years, lipase B from Candida antarctica (CaLB) was the primary biocatalyst used for enzymatic esterification and polycondensation reactions. More recently, the need for novel biocatalysts with different selectivity has arisen in the biotechnology and biocatalysis fields. The present work describes how the catalytic potential of Thermobifida cellulosilytica cutinase 1 (Thc_Cut1) was exploited for polyester synthesis. In a first step, Thc_Cut1 was immobilized on three different carriers, namely Opal, Coral, and Amber, using a novel non-toxic His-tag method based on chelated Fe(III) ions (>99% protein bounded). In a second step, the biocatalyzed synthesis of an array of aliphatic polyesters was conducted. A selectivity chain study in a solvent-free reaction environment showed how, in contrast to CaLB, Thc_Cut1 presents a certain preference for C₆ -C₄ ester-diol combinations reaching monomer conversions up to 78% and M_w of 878 g mol^-1 when the Amber immobilized Thc_Cut1 was used. The synthetic potential of this cutinase was also tested in organic solvents, showing a marked activity decrease in polar media like that observed for CaLB. Finally, recyclability studies were performed, which showed an excellent stability of the immobilized Thc_Cut1 (retained activity >94%) over 24 h reaction cycles when a solvent-free workup was used. Concerning a practical application of the biocatalyst's preparation, the production of oligomers with M_n values below 10 kDa is usually desired for the production of nanoparticles and for the synthesis of functional pre-polymers for coating applications that can be crosslinked in a second reaction step.

Practical insights on enzyme stabilization

Enzymes are efficient catalysts designed by nature to work in physiological environments of living systems. The best operational conditions to access and convert substrates at the industrial level are different from nature and normally extreme. Strategies to isolate enzymes from extremophiles can redefine new operational conditions, however not always solving all industrial requirements. The stability of enzymes is therefore a key issue on the implementation of the catalysts in industrial processes which require the use of extreme environments that can undergo enzyme instability. Strategies for enzyme stabilization have been exhaustively reviewed, however they lack a practical approach. This review intends to compile and describe the most used approaches for enzyme stabilization highlighting case studies in a practical point of view.

A strategic approach for direct recovery and stabilization of Fusarium sp. ICT SAC1 cutinase from solid state fermented broth by carrier free cross-linked enzyme aggregates

The major hurdles in commercial exploitation of cutinase (having both esterolytic and lipolytic activities) with potent industrial applications are its high production cost, operational instability and reusability. Although commercially available in immobilized form, its immobilization process (synthesis of support/carrier) makes it expensive. Herein we tried to address multiple issues of production cost, stability, and reusability, associated with cutinase. Waste watermelon rinds, an agroindustrial waste was considered as a cheap support for solid state fermentation (SSF) for cutinase production by newly isolated Fusarium sp. ICT SAC1. Subsequently, carrier free cross-linked enzyme aggregates of cutinase (cut-CLEA) directly from the SSF crude broth were developed. All the process variables affecting CLEA formation along with the different additives were evaluated. It was found that 50% (w/v) of ammonium sulphate, 125μmol of glutaraldehyde, cross-linking for 1h at 30°C and broth pH of 7.0, yielded 58.12% activity recovery. All other additives (hexane, butyric acid, sodium dodecyl sulphate, Trition-X 100, Tween-20, BSA) evaluated presented negative results to our hypothesis. Kinetics and morphology studies confirmed the diffusive nature of cut-CLEA and BSA cut-CLEA. Developed CLEA showed better thermal, solvent, detergent and storage stability, making it more elegant and efficient for industrial biocatalytic process.

Graft copolymerization of acrylamide on chitosan-co-chitin and its application for immobilization of Aspergillus sp. RL2Ct cutinase

The synthesis of chitosan (Chs) and chitin (Chi) copolymer and grafting of acrylamide (AAm) onto the synthesized copolymer have been carried out by chemical methods. The grafted copolymer was characterized by FTIR, SEM and XRD. The extracellular cutinase of Aspergillus sp. RL2Ct (E.C. 3.1.1.3) was purified to 4.46 fold with 16.1% yield using acetone precipitation and DEAE sepharose ion exchange chromatography. It was immobilized by adsorption on the grafted copolymer. The immobilized enzyme was found to be more stable then the free enzyme and has a good binding efficiency (78.8%) with the grafted copolymer. The kinetic parameters K_M and V_max for free and immobilized cutinase were found to be 0.55mM and 1410μmolmin^-1mg^-1 protein, 2.99mM and 996μmolmin^-1mg^-1 protein, respectively. The immobilized cutinase was recycled 64 times without considerable loss of activity. The matrix (Chs-co-Chi-g-poly(AAm)) prepared and cutinase immobilized on the matrix have potential applications in enzyme immobilization and organic synthesis respectively.

Enzymatic Synthesis of Biobased Polyesters and Polyamides

Nowadays, "green" is a hot topic almost everywhere, from retailers to universities to industries; and achieving a green status has become a universal aim. However, polymers are commonly considered not to be "green", being associated with massive energy consumption and severe pollution problems (for example, the "Plastic Soup") as a public stereotype. To achieve green polymers, three elements should be entailed: (1) green raw materials, catalysts and solvents; (2) eco-friendly synthesis processes; and (3) sustainable polymers with a low carbon footprint, for example, (bio)degradable polymers or polymers which can be recycled or disposed with a gentle environmental impact. By utilizing biobased monomers in enzymatic polymerizations, many advantageous green aspects can be fulfilled. For example, biobased monomers and enzyme catalysts are renewable materials that are derived from biomass feedstocks; enzymatic polymerizations are clean and energy saving processes; and no toxic residuals contaminate the final products. Therefore, synthesis of renewable polymers via enzymatic polymerizations of biobased monomers provides an opportunity for achieving green polymers and a future sustainable polymer industry, which will eventually play an essential role for realizing and maintaining a biobased and sustainable society.

Enzymatic synthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-based semi-aromatic polyamides: enzymatic polymerization kinetics, effect of diamine chain length and thermal properties

Sustainable FDCA-based semi-aromatic polyamides are produced via enzymatic polymerization. The enzymatic polymerization kinetics, effect of diamine chain length, and thermal properties of the resulting polyamides are investigated.

Enlarging the tools for efficient enzymatic polycondensation: structural and catalytic features of cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica

Catalytic and structural properties make cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica a more efficient biocatalyst for polycondensations, also of short-chain monomers.

A biocatalytic approach towards sustainable furanic–aliphatic polyesters

A series of sustainable furanic–aliphatic polyesters and oligoesters is successfully producedvia Candida antarcticaLipase B-catalyzed polymerization of biobased dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate with various (potentially) renewable aliphatic diols.

Environmentally benign synthesis of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic polyesters via enzymatic polymerization of biobased monomers derived from renewable resources

Biobased saturated aliphatic polyesters and photo-curable unsaturated aliphatic polyesters are enzymatically polymerized, and their structure–property relationships are systematically studied.

Lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and β-lactam

The enzymatic ring-opening copolymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and β-lactam by using Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) as catalyst was studied. Variation of the feed ratios of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 of ε-CL/β-lactam was performed. The products contain poly(ε-CL-co-β-lactam) and the homopolymers of poly(ε-CL) and poly(β-lactam). The structure of the copolymers was determined by MALDI-ToF MS. Poly(ε-CL-co-β-lactam) has an alternating and random structure consisting of alternating repeating units with oligo(ε-CL) or oligo(β-lactam). The highest fraction of the alternating copolymers resulted from the reaction with a feed ratio 50:50. The copolymer is a semicrystalline polymer with a Tm at 124 °C and Tgs at -15 and 50 °C. Interestingly, the copolymer also demonstrated cold crystallization at 29 and 74 °C, after quenching the sample from the melt in liquid nitrogen.

Enzyme-Catalyzed Synthesis of Unsaturated Aliphatic Polyesters Based on Green Monomers from Renewable Resources

Bio-based commercially available succinate, itaconate and 1,4-butanediol are enzymatically co-polymerized in solution via a two-stage method, using Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB, in immobilized form as Novozyme® 435) as the biocatalyst. The chemical structures of the obtained products, poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-itaconate) (PBSI), are confirmed by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The effects of the reaction conditions on the CALB-catalyzed synthesis of PBSI are fully investigated, and the optimal polymerization conditions are obtained. With the established method, PBSI with tunable compositions and satisfying reaction yields is produced. The ¹H-NMR results confirm that carbon-carbon double bonds are well preserved in PBSI. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that the amount of itaconate in the co-polyesters has no obvious effects on the glass-transition temperature and the thermal stability of PBS and PBSI, but has significant effects on the melting temperature.

Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of aliphatic-aromatic oligoamides

Enzymatically catalyzed polycondensation of p-xylylenediamine and diethyl sebacate resulted in oligo(p-xylylene sebacamide) with high melting temperatures (223-230 °C) and the enzymatic polycondensation of dimethyl terephthalate and 1,8-diaminooctane leads to oligo(octamethylene terephthalamide) with two melting temperatures at 186 and 218 °C. No oligoamides, but products 1 and 2, were formed from the enzymatic reaction of dimethyl terephthalate and p-xylylenediamine. All reactions were catalyzed by CAL-B, icutinase, or CLEA cutinase. All reactions catalyzed by CAL-B show higher conversion than reactions catalyzed by icutinase or CLEA cutinase. The highest DPmax of 15 was achieved in a one-step and two-step synthesis of oligo(p-xylylene sebacamide) catalyzed by CLEA cutinase.