Characterization of cross linked Burkholderia cepacia lipase in alginate and κ-carrageenan hybrid matrix

Recent advances in carbon nanotubes-based biocatalysts and their applications

Enzymes have been incorporated into a wide variety of fields and industries as they catalyze many biochemical and chemical reactions. The immobilization of enzymes on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for generating nano biocatalysts with high stability and reusability is gaining great attention among researchers. Functionalized CNTs act as excellent support for effective enzyme immobilization. Depending on the application, the enzymes can be tailored using the various surface functionalization techniques on the CNTs to extricate the desirable characteristics. Aiming at the preparation of efficient, stable, and recyclable nanobiocatalysts, this review provides an overview of the methods developed to immobilize the various enzymes. Various applications of carbon nanotube-based biocatalysts in water purification, bioremediation, biosensors, and biofuel cells have been comprehensively reviewed.

Recent Trends in Biomaterials for Immobilization of Lipases for Application in Non-Conventional Media

The utilization of biomaterials as novel carrier materials for lipase immobilization has been investigated by many research groups over recent years. Biomaterials such as agarose, starch, chitin, chitosan, cellulose, and their derivatives have been extensively studied since they are non-toxic materials, can be obtained from a wide range of sources and are easy to modify, due to the high variety of functional groups on their surfaces. However, although many lipases have been immobilized on biomaterials and have shown potential for application in biocatalysis, special features are required when the biocatalyst is used in non-conventional media, for example, in organic solvents, which are required for most reactions in organic synthesis. In this article, we discuss the use of biomaterials for lipase immobilization, highlighting recent developments in the synthesis and functionalization of biomaterials using different methods. Examples of effective strategies designed to result in improved activity and stability and drawbacks of the different immobilization protocols are discussed. Furthermore, the versatility of different biocatalysts for the production of compounds of interest in organic synthesis is also described.

Synthesis of a green polyurethane foam from a biopolyol obtained by enzymatic glycerolysis and its use for immobilization of lipase NS-40116

The use of green sources for materials synthesis has gained popularity in recent years. This work investigated the immobilization of lipase NS-40116 (Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase) in polyurethane foam (PUF) using a biopolyol obtained through the enzymatic glycerolysis between castor oil and glycerol, catalyzed by the commercial lipase Novozym 435 for the PUF formation. The reaction was performed to obtain biopolyol resulting in the conversion of 64% in mono- and diacylglycerol, promoting the efficient use of the reaction product as biopolyol to obtain polyurethane foam. The enzymatic derivative with immobilized lipase NS-40116 presented apparent density of 0.19 ± 0.03 g/cm³ and an immobilization yield was 94 ± 4%. Free and immobilized lipase NS-40116 were characterized in different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and propanol), temperatures (20, 40, 60 and 80 °C), pH (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11) and presence of ions Na⁺, Mg⁺⁺, and Ca⁺⁺. The support provided higher stability to the enzyme, mainly when subjected to acid pH (free lipase lost 80% of relative activity after 360 h of contact, when the enzymatic derivative lost around 22%) and high-temperature free lipase lost 50% of relative activity, while the immobilized remained 95%. The enzymatic derivative was also used for esterification reactions and conversions around 66% in fatty acid methyl esters, using abdominal chicken fat as feedstock, were obtained in the first use, maintaining this high conversion until the fourth reuse, proving that the support obtained using environmentally friendly techniques is applicable.

Lipase Immobilization on Silica Xerogel Treated with Protic Ionic Liquid and its Application in Biodiesel Production from Different Oils

Treated silica xerogel with protic ionic liquid (PIL) and bifunctional agents (glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin) is a novel support strategy used in the effective immobilization of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (LBC) by covalent binding. As biocatalysts with the highest activity recovery yields, LBC immobilized by covalent binding with epichlorohydrin without (203%) and with PIL (250%), was assessed by the following the hydrolysis reaction of olive oil and characterized biochemically (Michaelis⁻Menten constant, optimum pH and temperature, and operational stability). Further, the potential transesterification activity for three substrates: sunflower, soybean, and colza oils, was also determined, achieving a conversion of ethyl esters between 70 and 98%. The supports and the immobilized lipase systems were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis.

Enhanced activity and stability of papain by covalent immobilization on porous magnetic nanoparticles

Papain enzyme was successfully immobilized by covalent bonding onto biocompatible Fe₃O₄/SF nanoparticles, which were prepared with the soft template of silk fibroin (SF). The optimized immobilization condition is pH6.0, hydrolysis time of 60min, and an enzyme/support ratio of 10.0mg/g. Compared with free papain, the immobilized papain exhibits a high effective activity, broader working pH and temperature. This immobilized papain can be separated from the solution by the external magnetic field for cyclic utilization, and 70% of initial activity was retained after eight consecutive operations while completely loss of proteolytic activity for the free papain. Furthermore, the immobilized papain maintained 85% of their initial activity after being stored for 28days. Kinetic parameters, maximum reaction rate (V_max) and Michaelis constant (K_m) of immobilized papain, were determined as 4.95mg/l·min and 0.23mg/ml, larger than its free counterpart. All the results above indicated that the immobilized papain onto magnetic Fe₃O₄/SF nanoparticles would have potential industrial and medical applications.

Removal of acetaminophen in water by laccase immobilized in barium alginate

This research has focused on the optimization of immobilized laccase condition and utilization in degradation of acetaminophen contaminated in aqueous solution. Laccase from Lentinus polychrous was immobilized in barium alginate. The effects of laccase immobilization such as sodium alginate concentration, barium chloride concentration and gelation time were studied. The optimal conditions for immobilization were sodium alginate 5% (w/v), barium chloride 5% (w/v) and gelation time of 60 min. Immobilized laccase was then used for acetaminophen removal. Acetaminophen was removed quickly in the first 50 min. The degradation rate and percentage of removal increased when the enzyme concentration increased. Immobilized laccase at 0.57 U/g-alginate showed the maximum removal at 94% in 240 min. The removal efficiency decreased with increasing initial acetaminophen concentration. The K_m value for immobilized laccase (98.86 µM) was lower than that of free laccase (203.56 µM), indicating that substrate affinity was probably enhanced by immobilization. The immobilized enzyme exhibited high activity and good acetaminophen removal at pH 7 and temperature of 35°C. The activation energies of free and immobilized laccase for degradation of acetaminophen were 8.08 and 17.70 kJ/mol, respectively. It was also found that laccase stability to pH and temperature increased after immobilization. Furthermore, immobilized laccase could be reused for five cycles. The capability of removal and enzyme activity were retained above 70%.

Bacillus sp. PS35 Lipase-Immobilization on Styrene-Divinyl Benzene Resin and Application in Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Synthesis

BACKGROUND

Lipase is an enzyme with immense application potential. Ester synthesis by lipase catalysis in organic media is an area of key industrial relevance. Enzymatic preparations with traits that cater to the needs of this function are hence being intensely researched.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the study were to immobilize the lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 by cross-linking and adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene (Sty-Dvb) hydrophobic resin and to comparatively characterize the free and immobilized lipase preparations. The work also aimed to apply the immobilized lipase for catalysing the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis from palm oil and optimize the process parameters for maximizing the yield.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the purified lipase from Bacillus sp. PS35 was immobilized by adsorption onto styrene-divinyl benzene hydrophobic resin with gluteraldehyde cross-linking.

RESULTS

The immobilized enzyme showed better pH and temperature stabilities than the free lipase. Organic solvent stability was also enhanced, with the relative activity in the presence of methanol being shifted from 53% to 81%, thereby facilitating the enzyme's application in fatty acid methyl ester synthesis. It exhibited remarkable storage stability over a 30-day period and after 20 repetitive uses. Cross-linking also reduced enzyme leakage by 49%. The immobilized lipase was then applied for biodiesel production from palm oil. Methanol and oil molar ratio of 5:1, three step methanol additions, and an incubation temperature of 50°C were established to be the ideal conditions favoring the transesterification reaction, resulting in 97% methyl ester yield.

CONCLUSIONS

These promising results offer scope for further investigation and process scale up, permitting the enzyme's commercial application in a practically feasible and economically agreeable manner.

Pretreatment of coconut mill effluent using celite-immobilized hydrolytic enzyme preparation from Staphylococcus pasteuri and its impact on anaerobic digestion

Biological treatment of oil and grease (O&G)-containing industrial effluents has long been a challenging issue. Practically feasible avenues to bring down their O&G load and enhance treatability are desired. In one such endeavour, the partially purified lipase from Staphylococcus pasteuri COM-4A was immobilized on celite carrier and applied for the enzymatic hydrolysis of unsterilized coconut oil mill effluent. In batch hydrolysis experiments, optimum conditions of 1% (w/v) immobilized lipase beads, one in four effluent dilution, and a contact time of 30 h resulted in 46% and 24% increase in volatile fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids and a concomitant 52% and 32% decrease in O&G and chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels, respectively. Batch anaerobic biodegradation trials with this prehydrolyzed effluent showed 89%, 91%, and 90% decrease in COD, proteins, and reducing sugars, respectively. These results were validated in a hybrid stirred tank--upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. Average COD and O&G reductions effected by the hybrid reactor were found to be 89% and 88%, whereas that by the control reactor without enzymatic hydrolysis were only 60% and 47%, respectively. A maximum of 0.86 L methane gas was generated by the hybrid reactor per gram of VS added. Hence, this celite-immobilized crude lipase, sourced from a native laboratory isolate, seems to be a workable alternative to commercial enzyme preparations for the management of lipid-rich industrial effluents.

Immobilization of β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger on κ-carrageenan hybrid matrix and its application on the production of reducing sugar from macroalgae cellulosic residue

A novel concept for the synthesis of a stable polymer hybrid matrix bead was developed in this study. The beads were further applied for enzyme immobilization to produce stable and active biocatalysts with low enzyme leakage, and high immobilization efficiency, enzyme activity, and recyclability. The immobilization conditions, including PEI concentration, activation time and pH of the PEI solution were investigated and optimized. All formulated beads were characterized for its functionalized groups, composition, surface morphology and thermal stability. Compared with the free β-glucosidase, the immobilized β-glucosidase on the hybrid matrix bead was able to tolerate broader range of pH values and higher reaction temperature up to 60 °C. The immobilized β-glucosidase was then used to hydrolyse pretreated macroalgae cellulosic residue (MCR) for the production of reducing sugar and a hydrolysis yield of 73.4% was obtained. After repeated twelve runs, immobilized β-glucosidase retained about 75% of its initial activity.

A comprehensive review on biodegradable polymers and their blends used in controlled-release fertilizer processes

Biodegradable polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers (PC-CRFs) are essential means to reduce cost, improve marketability, conserve land fertility, achieve high crop yields and combat climate challenges. It is known that about 15–30% of any fertilizer packed in a PC-CRF does not get released due to the concentration gradient difference across the polymer coatings. To release the trapped fertilizer(s), it is desired that polymer-based coatings should biodegrade after the fertilizer is completely released into the soil. This review has aimed to provide a comprehensive account for various biodegradable polymers/blends derived either from natural or synthetic sources which are cited in the literature for PC-CRFs. In addition, this review covers the discussion on their classification criteria, trends in the processes of fertilizer coatings, methodological issues for their biodegradation assessment, coating attributes that affect the biodegradability and an outlook into their biodegradation kinetic models that involve enzymes and microbial processes. It also concludes that experimental as well as modeling data are insufficient to assess the biodegradation contribution of the overall nutrient release in PC-CRFs.