Lipase from Carica papaya latex presents high enantioselectivity toward the resolution of prodrug (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester

Functional Expression of Plant Lipases: The Case of CpLip1 from Carica papaya

Carica papaya latex is one of the most studied sources of plant lipases. However, the complexity of the matrix composition makes it difficult to isolate and purify the lipolytic enzymes present in Carica papaya latex. Therefore, diverse strategies have been developed to study the catalytic properties of these enzymes.Recently the first lipase from Carica papaya latex (CpLip1) has been successfully cloned and expressed in order to study their catalytic properties. In order to improve the catalytic properties and increase the potential for its use at industrial scale.In this chapter, a practical protocol to recombinant CpLip1 lipase is given.

Biodiesel production from crude Jatropha oil catalyzed by non-commercial immobilized heterologous Rhizopus oryzae and Carica papaya lipases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of biodiesel production by transesterification of Jatropha oil with methanol, catalyzed by non-commercial sn-1,3-regioselective lipases. Using these lipases, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and monoacylglycerols are produced, avoiding the formation of glycerol as byproduct. Heterologous Rhizopus oryzae lipase (rROL) immobilized on different synthetic resins and Carica papaya lipase (rCPL) immobilized on Lewatit VP OC 1600 were tested. Reactions were performed at 30°C, with seven stepwise methanol additions. For all biocatalysts, 51-65% FAME (theoretical maximum=67%, w/w) was obtained after 4h transesterification. Stability tests were performed in 8 or 10 successive 4h-batches, either with or without rehydration of the biocatalyst between each two consecutive batches. Activity loss was much faster when biocatalysts were rehydrated. For rROL, half-life times varied from 16 to 579h. rROL on Lewatit VPOC 1600 was more stable than for rCPL on the same support.

Medium-engineering: a useful tool for modulating lipase activity and selectivity

The design of a specific reaction medium capable to enhance activity, stability, and productivity of biocatalysts has been a recurring topic of study during the last three decades. The remarkable properties and valuable applications of enzymes, especially lipases, have inspiried different strategies for improving their performance in near-anhydrous media. As lipases are the most frequently used enzymes in organic synthesis, understanding the influence of reaction media on their activity and selectivity is crucial. In this paper, we review the key features of lipases and demonstrate how medium-engineering is a useful tool to modulate the activity and selectivity of lipase-catalyzed reactions.

Biocatalysis for biobased chemicals

The design and development of greener processes that are safe and friendly is an irreversible trend that is driven by sustainable and economic issues. The use of Biocatalysis as part of a manufacturing process fits well in this trend as enzymes are themselves biodegradable, require mild conditions to work and are highly specific and well suited to carry out complex reactions in a simple way. The growth of computational capabilities in the last decades has allowed Biocatalysis to develop sophisticated tools to understand better enzymatic phenomena and to have the power to control not only process conditions but also the enzyme's own nature. Nowadays, Biocatalysis is behind some important products in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and bulk chemicals industry. In this review we want to present some of the most representative examples of industrial chemicals produced in vitro through enzymatic catalysis.