Carrier-bound and carrier-free immobilization of type A feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus niger: Searching for an operationally stable heterogeneous biocatalyst for the synthesis of butyl hydroxycinnamates

Preparation of pullulanase/Cu3(PO4)2 hybrid nanoflower and its catalytic performance as an immobilized enzyme

A commercially important pullulanase enzyme that hydrolyzes α-1,6 glycosidic linkages in pullulan was immobilized as pullulanase/Cu3(PO4)2 hybrid nanoflower. Free and immobilized enzymes both showed the highest activity at 25 °C. The optimum pH of the free enzyme was 4.5, and the immobilized enzyme was 5.5. Immobilization provided the enzyme with good thermal and pH stability. Even after 18 weeks, immobilized enzyme stored at 4 or -20 °C still have 40 % and 60 % activity, respectively. The reusability of the immobilized enzyme was very good with nearly 75 % activity after 8 cycles. Immobilization provided good protection against Cu2+, which is one of the main inhibitors of the pullulanase.

Cloning, Expression, Characterization and Immobilization of a Recombinant Carboxylesterase from the Halophilic Archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum NCR-1

Only a few halophilic archaea producing carboxylesterases have been reported. The limited research on biocatalytic characteristics of archaeal esterases is primarily due to their very low production in native organisms. A gene encoding carboxylesterase from Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 was cloned and successfully expressed in Haloferax volcanii. The recombinant carboxylesterase (rHsEst) was purified by affinity chromatography with a yield of 81%, and its molecular weight was estimated by SDS-PAGE (33 kDa). The best kinetic parameters of rHsEst were achieved using p-nitrophenyl valerate as substrate (KM = 78 µM, kcat = 0.67 s-1). rHsEst exhibited great stability to most metal ions tested and some solvents (diethyl ether, n-hexane, n-heptane). Purified rHsEst was effectively immobilized using Celite 545. Esterase activities of rHsEst were confirmed by substrate specificity studies. The presence of a serine residue in rHsEst active site was revealed through inhibition with PMSF. The pH for optimal activity of free rHsEst was 8, while for immobilized rHsEst, maximal activity was at a pH range between 8 to 10. Immobilization of rHsEst increased its thermostability, halophilicity and protection against inhibitors such as EDTA, BME and PMSF. Remarkably, immobilized rHsEst was stable and active in NaCl concentrations as high as 5M. These biochemical characteristics of immobilized rHsEst reveal its potential as a biocatalyst for industrial applications.

In silico approaches to investigate enzyme immobilization: a comprehensive systematic review

Enzymes are popular catalysts with many applications, especially in industry. Biocatalyst usage on a large scale is facing some limitations, such as low operational stability, low recyclability, and high enzyme cost. Enzyme immobilization is a beneficial strategy to solve these problems. Bioinformatics tools can often correctly predict immobilization outcomes, resulting in a cost-effective experimental phase with the least time consumed. This study provides an overview of in silico methods predicting immobilization processes via a comprehensive systematic review of published articles till 11 December 2022. It also mentions the strengths and weaknesses of the processes and explains the computational analyses in each method that are required for immobilization assessment. In this regard, Web of Science and Scopus databases were screened to gain relevant publications. After screening the gathered documents (n = 3873), 60 articles were selected for the review. The selected papers have applied in silico procedures including only molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (n = 20), parallel tempering Monte Carlo (PTMC) and MD simulations (n = 3), MD and docking (n = 1), density functional theory (DFT) and MD (n = 1), only docking (n = 11), metal ion binding site prediction (MIB) server and docking (n = 2), docking and DFT (n = 1), docking and analysis of enzyme surfaces (n = 1), only DFT (n = 1), only MIB server (n = 2), analysis of an enzyme structure and surface (n = 12), rational design of immobilized derivatives (RDID) software (n = 3), and dissipative particle dynamics (DPD; n = 2). In most included studies (n = 51), enzyme immobilization was investigated experimentally in addition to in silico evaluation.

Aspergillus sclerotiorum lipolytic activity and its application in bioremediation of high-fat dairy wastewater environments

Oils and grease (O&G) have low affinity for water and represent a class of pollutants present in the dairy industry. Enzyme-mediated bioremediation using biocatalysts, such as lipases, has shown promising potential in biotechnology, as they are versatile catalysts with high enantioselectivity and regioselectivity and easy availability, being considered a clean technology (white biotechnology). Specially in the treatment of effluents from dairy industries, these enzymes are of particular importance as they specifically hydrolyze O&G. In this context, the objective of this work is to prospect filamentous fungi with the ability to synthesize lipases for application in a high-fat dairy wastewater environment. We identified and characterized the fungal species Aspergillus sclerotiorum as a good lipase producer. Specifically, we observed highest lipolytic activity (20.72 U g^-1) after 96 h of fermentation using sunflower seed as substrate. The fungal solid fermented was used in the bioremediation in dairy effluent to reduce O&G. The experiment was done in kinetic from 24 to 168 h and reduced over 90% of the O&G present in the sample after 168 h. Collectively, our work demonstrated the efficiency and applicability of fungal fermented solids in bioremediation and how this process can contribute to a more sustainable wastewater pretreatment, reducing the generation of effluents produced by dairy industries.

Esterases as emerging biocatalysts: Mechanistic insights, genomic and metagenomic, immobilization, and biotechnological applications

Esterase enzymes are a family of hydrolases that catalyze the breakdown and formation of ester bonds. Esterases have gained a prominent position in today's world's industrial enzymes market. Due to their unique biocatalytic attributes, esterases contribute to environmentally sustainable design approaches, including biomass degradation, food and feed industry, dairy, clothing, agrochemical (herbicides, insecticides), bioremediation, biosensor development, anticancer, antitumor, gene therapy, and diagnostic purposes. Esterases can be isolated by a diverse range of mammalian tissues, animals, and microorganisms. The isolation of extremophilic esterases increases the interest of researchers in the extraction and utilization of these enzymes at the industrial level. Genomic, metagenomic, and immobilization techniques have opened innovative ways to extract esterases and utilize them for a longer time to take advantage of their beneficial activities. The current study discusses the types of esterases, metagenomic studies for exploring new esterases, and their biomedical applications in different industrial sectors.

Application of biochar immobilized microorganisms for pollutants removal from wastewater: A review

Microbial immobilization technology (MIT) has been rapidly developed and used to remove pollutants from water/wastewater in recent years, owing to its high stability, rapid reaction rate, and high activity. Microbial immobilization carrier with low cost and high removal efficiency is the key of MIT. Biochar is considered to be an efficient carrier for microbial immobilization because of its high porosity and good adsorption effect, which can provide a habitat for microorganisms. The use of biochar immobilized microorganisms to treat different pollutants in wastewater is a promising treatment method. Compared with the other biological treatment technology, biochar immobilized microorganisms can improve microbial abundance, repeated utilization ratio, microbial metabolic capacity, etc. However, current research on this method is still in its infancy. Little attention has been paid to the interaction mechanisms between biochar and microorganisms, and many studies are only carried out in the laboratory. There are still problems such as difficult recovery after use and secondary pollution caused by residual pollutants after biochar adsorption, which need further clarification. To have comprehensive digestion and an in-depth understanding of biochar immobilized microorganisms technology in wastewater treatment, the wastewater treatment methods based on biochar are firstly summarized in this review. Then the mechanisms of immobilized microorganisms were explored, and the applications of biochar immobilized microorganisms in wastewater were systematically reviewed. Finally, suggestions and perspectives for future research and practical application are put forward.

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.

Yeasts isolated from a lotic continental environment in Brazil show potential to produce amylase, cellulase and protease

Yeasts have wide applicability in the industrial field, as in the production of enzymes used in biocatalysts. Biocatalysts are more efficient when compared to chemical catalysts, with emphasis on hydrolytic enzymes, such as amylase, cellulase and protease. Here we focused on prospecting yeasts, with a high capacity to synthesize hydrolytic enzymes, from a continental lotic ecosystem environment in Brazil. 75 yeasts were grown in Yeast Extract-Peptone-Dextrose (YPD) medium supplemented with antibacterial and their capacity for enzymatic production was tested in specific media. Accordingly, 64 yeasts showed enzyme production capacity. From those, six showed good enzyme indexes, 3 for amylase, 2 for cellulase and 1 for protease. All showed at least one hydrolytic enzyme activity for the tested enzymes (amylase, cellulase and protease), which suggested that the yeasts are metabolically active. By sequencing the 26S gene, we identified Naganishia diffluens and Apiotrichum mycotoxinivorans as the species with highest enzyme production activities. Those species showed potential for application as biological catalysts in the biotechnological scope, collaborating in a sustainable way for the development of industrial products.

Approaches for the enzymatic synthesis of alkyl hydroxycinnamates and applications thereof

Alkyl hydroxycinnamates (AHs) is a group of molecules of biotechnological interest due to their cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical applications. Among their most interesting uses are as UV protectants, skin depigmentation agents, and antioxidant ingredients which are often claimed for their antitumoral potential. Nowadays, many sustainable enzymatic approaches using low-cost starting materials are available and interesting immobilization techniques are helping to increase the reuse of the biocatalysts, allowing the intensification of the processes and increasing AHs accessibility. Here a convenient summary of AHs most interesting biological activities and possible applications is presented. A deeper analysis of the art state to obtain AHs, focusing on most employed enzymatic synthesis approaches, their sustainability, acyl donors relevance, and most interesting enzyme immobilization strategies is provided.Key points• Most interesting alkyl hydroxycinnamates applications are summarized.• Enzymatic approaches to obtain alkyl hydroxycinnamates are critically discussed.• Outlook of enzyme immobilization strategies to attain alkyl hydroxycinnamates.

Effect of cross-linked enzyme aggregate strategy on characterization of sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36

The sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36 (EXANL1) has important potential applications. The cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) of purified EXANL1 (CLEA-EXANL1) achieved optimum activity recovery (148.5 ± 0.9%), immobilization yield (100 ± 0%), and recovered activity (99.7 ± 0.6%) with 80% tert-butanol as the precipitant, glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration of 30 mM, GA treatment time of 1.5 h, and centrifugal speed of 6000×g. The effect of CLEA strategy on the characterization of EXANL1 was evaluated in this work. CLEA-EXANL1 exhibited a broader optimum pH range (4-6) compared with free EXANL1 (6.5). CLEA-EXANL1 presented optimum activity at 40 °C, which was 5 °C higher than that of free EXANL1. CLEA strategy decreased the maximum reaction rate and increased the Michaelis-Menten constant of EXANL1 when olive oil emulsion was used as a substrate. Moreover, after 30 days, free EXANL1 lost more than 80.0% of its activity, whereas CLEA-EXANL1 retained more than 90.0% of its activity. CLEA strategy improved the tolerance of EXANL1 in polar organic solvents. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the CLEA technique increased the contents of β-sheets and β-turns in EXANL1 and reduced those of α-helixes and irregular crimps. CLEA strategy caused no change in the sn-1,3 selectivity of EXANL1. Therefore, EXANL1 in the form of CLEA is a valuable catalyst in the synthesis of 1,3-diacylglycerol. KEY POINTS: • Cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) strategy broadened the optimum pH range of sn-1,3 extracellular lipase from Aspergillus niger GZUF36 (EXANL1). • CLEA strategy improved the tolerance of EXANL1 in polar organic solvents. • CLEA strategy caused no change in the positional selectivity of EXANL1.

Improvement of lipase biochemical properties via a two-step immobilization method: Adsorption onto silicon dioxide nanoparticles and entrapment in a polyvinyl alcohol/alginate hydrogel

In this study, the factors affecting lipase adsorption onto SiO₂ nanoparticles including SiO₂ nanoparticles amounts (8, 19 and 30 mg/mL), lipase concentrations (30, 90 and 150 μg/mL), adsorption temperatures (5, 20 and 35 °C) and adsorption times (1, 12.5 and 24 h) were optimized using central composite design. The optimal conditions were determined as a SiO₂ nanoparticles amount of 8.5-14 mg/ml, a lipase concentration of 106-116 μg/mL, an adsorption temperature of 20 °C and an adsorption time of 12.5 h, which resulted in a specific activity and immobilization efficiency of 20,000 (U/g protein) and 60 %, respectively. The lipase adsorbed under optimal conditions (SiO₂-lipase) was entrapped in a PVA/Alg hydrogel, successfully. FESEM and FTIR confirmed the two-step method of lipase immobilization. The entrapped SiO₂-lipase retained 76.5 % of its initial activity after 30 days of storage at 4 °C while adsorbed and free lipase retained only 43.4 % and 13.7 %, respectively. SiO₂-lipase activity decreased to 34.43 % after 10 cycles of use, while the entrapped SiO₂-lipase retained about 64.59 % of its initial activity. Compared to free lipase, the K_m values increased and decreased for SiO₂-lipase and entrapped SiO₂-lipase, respectively. V_max value increased for both SiO₂-lipase and entrapped SiO₂-lipase.

Chitosan-based CLEAs from Aspergillus niger type A feruloyl esterase: high-productivity biocatalyst for alkyl ferulate synthesis

The enzymatic synthesis of alkyl ferulates is an important reaction in cosmetic and pharmaceutical chemistries, since it may allow to expand the biorefinery concept valorizing biomass wastes enriched in ferulic acid. However, robust biocatalysts for that purpose are scarce. Herein, we have immobilized the type A feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus niger (AnFaeA) as cross-linked enzyme aggregates, employing chitosan as co-feeder (ChCLEAs). High immobilization yields and relative activity recovery were attained in all assessed conditions (> 93%). Furthermore, we enhanced the thermal stability of the soluble enzyme 32-fold. AnFaeA-ChCLEAs were capable to quantitatively perform the solvent-free direct esterification of short- to medium-chain alkyl ferulates (C4-C12) in less than 24 h. By raising the operational temperature to 50 °C, AnFaeA-ChCLEAs transformed 350 mM ferulic acid into isopentyl ferulate with a space-time yield of 46.1 g of product × L^-1 × day^-1, 73-fold higher than previously reported. The overall sustainability of this alkyl ferulate production bioprocess is supported by the high total turnover number (TTN 7 × 10⁵) and the calculated green metrics (E factor = 30). Therefore, we herein present a robust, efficient, and versatile heterogeneous biocatalyst useful for the synthesis of a wide diversity of alkyl ferulates. KEY POINTS: • CLEAs of feruloyl esterase A from A. niger using chitosan as co-feeder were obtained. • Microenvironment of the biocatalysts allowed to obtain C1 to C18 alkyl ferulates. • Biocatalyst at boundary conditions showed a high productivity of 46 g/L day. Graphical Abstract.