Lysozyme purification with dye-affinity beads under magnetic field

Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles: Sources and multifarious biotechnological applications

Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles is a highly fascinating research area and has gained importance due to reliable, sustainable and ecofriendly protocol for synthesizing nanoparticles, along with the easy availability of plant materials and their pharmacological significance. As an alternate to physical and chemical synthesis, the biological materials, like microorganisms and plants are considered to be less costly and environment-friendly. Iron nanoparticles with diverse morphology and size have been synthesized using biological extracts. Microbial (bacteria, fungi, algae etc.) and plant extracts have been employed in green synthesis of iron nanoparticles due to the presence of various metabolites and biomolecules. Physical and biochemical properties of biologically synthesized iron nanoparticles are superior to that are synthesized using physical and chemical agents. Iron nanoparticles have magnetic property with thermal and electrical conductivity. Iron nanoparticles below a certain size (generally 10-20 nm), can exhibit a unique form of magnetism called superparamagnetism. They are non-toxic and highly dispersible with targeted delivery, which are suitable for efficient drug delivery to the target. Green synthesized iron nanoparticles have been explored for multifarious biotechnological applications. These iron nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial and anticancerous properties. Iron nanoparticles adversely affect the cell viability, division and metabolic activity. Iron nanoparticles have been used in the purification and immobilization of various enzymes/proteins. Iron nanoparticles have shown potential in bioremediation of various organic and inorganic pollutants. This review describes various biological sources used in the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles and their potential applications in biotechnology, diagnostics and mitigation of environmental pollutants.

Magnetic micro-macro biocatalysts applied to industrial bioprocesses

The use of magnetic biocatalysts is highly beneficial in bioprocesses technology, as it allows their easy recovering and enhances biocatalyst lifetime. Thus, it simplifies operational processing and increases efficiency, leading to more cost-effective processes. The use of small-size matrices as carriers for enzyme immobilization enables to maximize surface area and catalysts loading, also reducing diffusion limitations. As highly expensive nanoparticles (nm size) usually aggregate, their application at large scale is not recommended. In contrast, the use of magnetic micro-macro (µm-mm size) matrices leads to more homogeneous biocatalysts with null or very low aggregation, which facilitates an easy handling and recovery. The present review aims to highlight recent trends in the application of medium-to-high size magnetic biocatalysts in different areas (biodiesel production, food and pharma industries, protein purification or removal of environmental contaminants). The advantages and disadvantages of these above-mentioned magnetic biocatalysts in bioprocess technology will be also discussed.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in Protein Chromatography: Development of an Affinity Adsorbent from Waste Paper and Its Application for the Purification of Proteases from Fish By-Products

In the present study, we report the development of a cellulose-based affinity adsorbent and its application for the purification of proteases from fish by-products. The affinity adsorbent was synthesized using cellulose microfibers as the matrix, isolated from recycled newspapers using the acid precipitation method. As an affinity ligand, the triazine dye Cibacron Blue 3GA (CB3GA) was used and immobilized directly onto the cellulose microfibers. Absorption equilibrium studies and frontal affinity chromatography were employed to evaluate the chromatographic performance of the adsorbent using as model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYS). Absorption equilibrium studies suggest that the adsorption of both proteins obeys the Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetics of adsorption obey the pseudo-second-order model. The affinity adsorbent was applied for the development of a purification procedure for proteases from Sparus aurata by-products (stomach and pancreas). A single-step purification protocol for trypsin and chymotrypsin was developed and optimized. The protocol afforded enzymes with high yields suitable for technical and industrial purposes.

Magnetic Particles-Based Analytical Platforms for Food Safety Monitoring

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted growing interest as versatile materials for the development of analytical detection and separation platforms for food safety monitoring. This review discusses recent advances in the synthesis, functionalization and applications of MNPs in bioanalysis. A special emphasis is given to the use of MNPs as an immobilization support for biomolecules and as a target capture and pre-concentration to increase selectivity and sensitivity of analytical platforms for the monitoring of food contaminants. General principles and examples of MNP-based platforms for separation, amplification and detection of analytes of interest in food, including organic and inorganic constituents are discussed.

Magnetic diatomite for pesticide removal from aqueous solution via hydrophobic interactions

Pesticides are highly hazardous chemicals for the environment and human health and their use in agriculture is constantly increasing. Although 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane 4,4'-DDT was banned at developed countries, it is still one of the most dangerous of chemical due to accumulation in the environment. It is known that the toxicity of DDT affects some enzyme systems biochemically. The main motivation of this study is to develop an effective adsorbate for the removal DDT, which was chosen as a model hydrophobic pesticide, out of aqueous systems. For this purpose, the bare diatomite particles were magnetically modified and a hydrophobic ligand attached to enhance its adsorptive and physio-chemical features. Under optimal conditions, a high adsorption capacity, around 120 mg/g with the hydrophobic and magnetic diatomite particles, modification of the diatomite particles reduced average pores diameter whereas surface area and total pore volume increased (around 15-folds). After five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, no significant decrease in adsorption capability was observed. The adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Flory-Huggins) applied to the data indicated that the adsorption process occurred via monolayer adsorption in an entropy-driven manner. The kinetic data also revealed the quick adsorption process without any diffusion limitations. Graphical Abstract.

Lysozyme Aptamer-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Purification of Lysozyme from Chicken Egg White

Lysozyme is in high demand due to its many favorable characteristics such as being naturally occurring, non-toxic, and easy to digest and absorb. Recently, superparamagnetic nanoparticles with strong magnetic responsiveness have attracted significant interest for enzyme purification. The aptamer of the enzyme can be chemically synthesized rapidly at a large scale using simple and low-cost preparation methods. Therefore, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation and were then functionalized with amino groups to produce NH₂-Fe₃O₄ NPs. The specific reaction of aldehyde and amino groups was used to attach lysozyme aptamers with specific sequences to NH₂-Fe₃O₄ NPs to produce Apt-NH₂-Fe₃O₄ NPs. The synthesized materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hysteresis loop analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimal experimental conditions for adsorption of lysozyme were investigated. The effects of initial lysozyme concentration, adsorption time, pH, reaction temperature, and ionic strength were determined. The maximum adsorption capacity and relevant activity of Apt-NH₂-Fe₃O₄ NPs was 460 mg·g^-¹ and 16,412 ± 55 U·mg^-¹ in an aqueous lysozyme solution. In addition, as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis analysis, lysozyme could be separated from crude fresh egg white using Apt-NH₂-Fe₃O₄ NPs with an amount up to 113 ± 4.2 mg·g^-¹ and an activity up to 16,370 46 U·mg^-¹.

Engineering Pichia pastoris for Efficient Production of a Novel Bifunctional Strongylocentrotus purpuratus Invertebrate-Type Lysozyme

Lysozymes are known as ubiquitously distributed immune effectors with hydrolytic activity against peptidoglycan, the major bacterial cell wall polymer, to trigger cell lysis. In the present study, the full-length cDNA sequence of a novel sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus invertebrate-type lysozyme (sp-iLys) was synthesized according to the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and was cloned into a constitutive expression plasmid pPIC9K. The resulting plasmid, pPIC9K-sp-iLys, was integrated into the genome of P. pastoris strain GS115. The bioactive recombinant sp-iLys was successfully secreted into the culture broth by positive transformants. The highest lytic activity of 960 U/mL of culture supernatant was reached in fed-batch fermentation. Using chitin affinity chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography, recombinant sp-iLys was produced with a yield of 94.5 mg/L and purity of > 99%. Recombinant sp-iLys reached its peak lytic activity of 8560 U/mg at pH 6.0 and 30 °C and showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Aeromonas hydrophila) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). In addition, recombinant sp-iLys displayed isopeptidase activity which reached the peak at pH 7.5 and 37 °C with the presence of 0.05 M Na⁺. In conclusion, this report describes the heterologous expression of recombinant sp-iLys in P. pastoris on a preparative-scale, which possesses lytic activity and isopeptidase activity. This suggests that sp-iLys might play an important role in the innate immunity of S. purpuratus.

Preparation and characterization of surface molecularly imprinted film coated on a magnetic nanocore for the fast and selective recognition of the new neonicotinoid insecticide paichongding (IPP)

The selective recognition of IPP-MMIPs and IPP-MNIPs for four kinds of neonicotinoid insecticides, including IPP, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiacloprid.

Bio and nanomaterials based on Fe3O4

During the past few years, nanoparticles have been used for various applications including, but not limited to, protein immobilization, bioseparation, environmental treatment, biomedical and bioengineering usage, and food analysis. Among all types of nanoparticles, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, especially Fe₃O₄, have attracted a great deal of attention due to their unique magnetic properties and the ability of being easily chemical modified for improved biocompatibility, dispersibility. This review covers recent advances in the fabrication of functional materials based on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles together with their possibilities and limitations for application in different fields.

Application of iron magnetic nanoparticles in protein immobilization

Due to their properties such as superparamagnetism, high surface area, large surface-to-volume ratio, easy separation under external magnetic fields, iron magnetic nanoparticles have attracted much attention in the past few decades. Various modification methods have been developed to produce biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles for protein immobilization. This review provides an updated and integrated focus on the fabrication and characterization of suitable magnetic iron nanoparticle-based nano-active materials for protein immobilization.

Methyl parathion imprinted polymer nanoshell coated on the magnetic nanocore for selective recognition and fast adsorption and separation in soils

Core-shell magnetic methyl parathion (MP) imprinted polymers (Fe3O4@MPIPs) were fabricated by a layer-by-layer self-assembly process. In order to take full advantage of the synergistic effect of hydrogen-binding interactions and π-π accumulation between host and guest for molecular recognition, methacrylic acid and 4-vinyl pyridine were chosen as co-functional monomers and their optimal proportion were investigated. The core-shell and crystalline structure, morphology and magnetic properties of Fe3O4@MPIPs were characterized. The MP-imprinted nanoshell was almost uniform and about 100nm thick. Binding experiments demonstrated that Fe3O4@MPIPs possessed excellent binding properties, including high adsorption capacity and specific recognition, as well as fast adsorption kinetics and a fast phase separation rate. The equilibration adsorption capacity reached up to 9.1mg/g, which was 12 times higher than that of magnetic non-imprinted polymers, while adsorption reached equilibrium within 5min at a concentration of 0.2mmol/L. Furthermore, Fe3O4@MPIPs successfully provided selective separation and removal of MP in soils with a recovery and detection limit of 81.1-87.0% and 5.2ng/g, respectively.

Dye-attached magnetic poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanospheres for albumin depletion from human plasma

The selective binding of albumin on dye-affinity nanospheres was combined with magnetic properties as an alternative approach for albumin depletion from human plasma. Magnetic poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (mPHEMA) nanospheres were synthesized using mini-emulsion polymerization method in the presence of magnetite powder. The specific surface area of the mPHEMA nanospheres was found to be 1302 m(2)/g. Subsequent to Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) immobilization onto mPHEMA nanospheres, a serial characterization processing was implemented. The quantity of immobilized CB was calculated as 800 μmol/g. Ultimately, albumin adsorption performance of the CB-attached mPHEMA nanospheres from both aqueous dissolving medium and human plasma were explored.

Molecular imprinting based composite cryogel membranes for purification of anti-hepatitis B surface antibody by fast protein liquid chromatography

In the present study, we have focused our attention to prepare molecular imprinted composite cryogel membranes for purification of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) by fast protein liquid chromatography. Before the preparation of the molecular imprinted composite cryogel membranes (MI-CMs) by free radical polymerization at sub-zero temperature, we have synthesized and characterized the anti-HBs imprinted particles. Then, the cryogel membranes (CMs) were characterized by swelling test, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Prior to chromatographic purification studies, the effective parameters on the anti-HBs adsorption process were evaluated by investigating the dependency of the adsorption capacity on flow-rate, anti-HBs concentration, contact time and ionic strength. The maximum anti-HBs adsorption capacity was calculated as 701.4 mIU/g CM. The selectivity of the MI-CMs was shown by competitive adsorption of anti-HBs, total anti-hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) adsorption studies. The MI-CMs have relative selectivity coefficients as 5.45 for anti-HBs/total anti-HAV and 9.05 for anti-HBs/total IgE, respectively. The phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) containing 1.0M NaCl was used for elution, almost completely, of adsorbed anti-HBs molecules. The MI-CMs could be used many times without any significant decrease in the adsorption capacity. The chromatographic purification performances of the MI-CMs were also investigated. The chromatographic parameters such as capacity and separation factors, the theoretical plate number and resolution of the MI-CMs were calculated as 5.48, 6.02, 1153.9, and 1.72 for anti-HBs molecules, respectively. As a conclusion, we can say that the MI-CMs could be used for specific purification of anti-HBs from anti-HBs positive human plasma.

Dynamic isolation and unloading of target proteins by aptamer-modified microtransporters

We describe here a new strategy for isolating target proteins from complex biological samples based on an aptamer-modified self-propelled microtube engine. For this purpose, a thiolated thrombin or a mixed thrombin-ATP aptamer (prehybridized with a thiolated short DNA) was coassembled with mercaptohexanol onto the gold surface of these microtube engines. The rapid movement of the aptamer-modified microtransporter resulted in highly selective and rapid capture of the target thrombin, with an effective discrimination against a large excess of nontarget proteins. Release of the captured thrombin can be triggered by the addition of ATP that can bind and displace the immobilized mixed thrombin-ATP aptamer in 20 min. The rapid loading and unloading abilities demonstrated by these selective microtransporters are illustrated in complex matrixes such as human serum and plasma. The new motion-driven protein isolation platform represents a new approach in bioanalytical chemistry based on active transport of proteins and offers considerable promise for diverse diagnostic applications.

Separation of lysozyme using superparamagnetic carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles

Functionalized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-CTS) were developed and used as a novel magnetic absorbing carrier for the separation and purification of lysozyme from the aqueous solution and chicken egg white, respectively. The morphology of magnetic CM-CTS nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found that the diameter of superparamagnetic carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4) (PEG+CM-CTS)) was about 15 nm, and could easily aggregate by a magnet when suspending in the aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity of lysozyme onto the superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) (PEG+CM-CTS) nanoparticles was determined by changing the medium pH, temperature, ionic strength and the concentration of lysozyme. The maximum adsorption loading reached 256.4 mg/g. Due to the small diameter, the adsorption equilibrium of lysozyme onto the nanoparticles reached very quickly within 20 min. The adsorption equilibrium of lysozyme onto the superparamagnetic nanoparticles fitted well with the Langmuir model. The nanoparticles were stable when subjected to six repeated adsorption-elution cycles. Separation and purification were monitored by determining the lysozyme activity using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as substrate. The lysozyme was purified from chicken egg white in a single step had higher purity, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Considering that the superparamagnetic nanoparticles possess the advantages of high efficiency, cost-effectiveness and excellent binding of a larger amount of lysozyme and easier separation from the reaction system, thus this type of superparamagnetic nanoparticles would bring advantages to the conventional separation techniques of lysozyme from chicken egg white.