Polymeric Nanocapsules for Enzyme Stabilization in Organic Solvents

Enhancing Biocatalysis through Chiral Supramolecular Scaffolds: Insights into the Structural Adaptability of Lipase

How to maintain high catalytic activity and stability in the process of biocatalysis is crucial, inspiring strategies to construct an appropriate catalytic microenvironment. Considering the lipase's inherent chirality and the necessity for a delicate hydrophilic-hydrophobic equilibrium, we crafted a chiral, nonaqueous catalytic microenvironment via the in situ coassembly of Boc-FLFL-NHNH2 (Bfl) and lipase. Benefiting from the chirality and distinct Bfl-lipase interactions, the lipase@Bfl supramolecular hybrid amplifies biological functionalities and can serve as a versatile and highly efficient catalyst. Kinetic investigations and molecular docking simulations uncover the strong lipase-substrate affinity and lipase-Bfl interactions, explaining the enhanced biological effects, catalytic activity, and stability. Our study establishes a suitable microenvironment to address the chirality and hydrophobicity during catalysis and highlights the potential of artificial chiral scaffolds and catalytic medium for enhancing lipase activity.

Further Improvement Based on Traditional Nanocapsule Preparation Methods: A Review

Nanocapsule preparation technology, as an emerging technology with great development prospects, has uniqueness and superiority in various industries. In this paper, the preparation technology of nanocapsules was systematically divided into three categories: physical methods, chemical methods, and physicochemical methods. The technological innovation of different methods in recent years was reviewed, and the mechanisms of nanocapsules prepared via emulsion polymerization, interface polymerization, layer-by-layer self-assembly technology, nanoprecipitation, supercritical fluid, and nano spray drying was summarized in detail. Different from previous reviews, the renewal iteration of core-shell structural materials was highlighted, and relevant illustrations of their representative and latest research results were reviewed. With the continuous progress of nanocapsule technology, especially the continuous development of new wall materials and catalysts, new preparation technology, and new production equipment, nanocapsule technology will be used more widely in medicine, food, cosmetics, pesticides, petroleum products, and many other fields.

Maleic anhydride-modified xylanase and its application to the clarification of fruits juices

At presently, the catalytic activity of xylanase is sub-optimal, and the required reaction conditions are harsh. To improve its catalytic activity and stability, xylanase (XY) was chemically modified with maleic anhydride (MA). The enzymatic properties of this maleic anhydride-modified xylanase (MA-XY) were then evaluated and analyzed spectroscopically. The results showed that the thermal stability, use of organic solvents, storage stability and the pH range of 3.0 to 9.0 for MA-XY were better than that for XY alone. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme (Km values) decreased from 40.63 to 30.23 mg/mL. Spectroscopic analysis showed that XY had been modified by the acylation reaction to become a tertiary structure. An assay based on clarifying fruit juices showed that the clarification capacity and reducing sugar content using MA-XY increased compared with those using XY. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for improving the application of XY in the food industry.

Exploring Oxidoreductases from Extremophiles for Biosynthesis in a Non-Aqueous System

Organic solvent tolerant oxidoreductases are significant for both scientific research and biomanufacturing. However, it is really challenging to obtain oxidoreductases due to the shortages of natural resources and the difficulty to obtained it via protein modification. This review summarizes the recent advances in gene mining and structure-functional study of oxidoreductases from extremophiles for non-aqueous reaction systems. First, new strategies combining genome mining with bioinformatics provide new insights to the discovery and identification of novel extreme oxidoreductases. Second, analysis from the perspectives of amino acid interaction networks explain the organic solvent tolerant mechanism, which regulate the discrete structure-functional properties of extreme oxidoreductases. Third, further study by conservation and co-evolution analysis of extreme oxidoreductases provides new perspectives and strategies for designing robust enzymes for an organic media reaction system. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities in designing biocatalysis non-aqueous systems are highlighted.

Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Lignin/Chitosan Nanoparticles for Biphasic Enzyme Catalysis

In this study, we construct a green and high-performance platform using Pickering emulsions for biphasic catalysis. The oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by the lignin/chitosan nanoparticles (Lig/Chi NPs) have great stability and alkali resistance, showing pH-responsive reversible emulsification and demulsification which can be recycled at least three times. The Pickering emulsion also has fluorescence and wide availability to different oil-to-water volume ratios, types of oil, storage times, temperatures, and ion concentrations. When this system is applied to the lipase-catalyzed reaction for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenol palmitate, it will provide stable and large oil-water reaction interface areas, and the negatively charged lipase will enrich at the emulsion interface by electrostatic adsorption of the positively charged Lig/Chi NPs to achieve immobilization (lipase-Lig/Chi NPs). The reaction conversion rate can reach nearly 100% in 30 min, which is nearly three times higher than that of the conventional two-phase system. Moreover, the lipases in Pickering emulsion stabilized by Lig/Chi NPs exhibit great recyclability because of the protection of Lig/Chi NPs.

Layer-by-Layer Engineered All-Liquid Microfluidic Chips for Enzyme Immobilization

Enzyme immobilization in the confines of microfluidic chips, that promote enzyme activity and stability, has become a powerful strategy to enhance biocatalysis and biomass conversion. Here, based on a newly developed all-liquid microfluidic chip, fabricated by the interfacial assembly of nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) in a biphasic system, a layer-by-layer assembly strategy to generate polysaccharide multilayers on the surface of a microchannel, greatly enhancing the mechanical properties of the microchannel and offering a biocompatible microenvironment for enzyme immobilization, is presented. Using horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase as model enzymes, all-liquid microfluidic enzymatic and cascade reactors have been constructed and the crucial role of polysaccharide multilayers on enhancing the enzyme loading and catalytic efficiency is demonstrated.

The Encounter of Biomolecules in Metal-Organic Framework Micro/Nano Reactors

In nature, biochemical reactions often take place in confined spaces, as typically exemplified by cells. As numerous cellular reactors can be integrated to maintain the living system, researchers have made constant efforts to construct cell-like structures for achieving similar transformations in vitro. Micro/nano reactors engineered by polymers and colloids are becoming popular and being applied in many fields, especially there has been an increasing trend toward constructing metal-organic framework (MOF) micro/nano reactors with the thriving of MOF nanotechnologies. Because of the uniform pores of MOFs, the transmission of substances can be regulated more accurately. Along with properties of large specific surface area, functional diversity and precise control of the particle size, MOFs are also ideal platforms for building distinct microenvironments for biological substances. Compared with traditional polymersomes and colloidosomes, the unique characteristics of MOFs render them potent micro/nano reactor shell materials, mimicking cells for applications in enzymatic catalysis, sensing, nanotherapy, vaccine, biodegradation, etc. This review highlights recent signs of progress on the design of MOF micro/nano reactors and their applications in biology, discusses the existing problems, and prospects their promising properties for smarter multifunctional applications.

The Core-Shell Structure, Not Sugar, Drives the Thermal Stabilization of Single-Enzyme Nanoparticles

Trehalose is widely assumed to be the most effective sugar for protein stabilization, but exactly how unique the structure is and the mechanism by which it works are still debated. Herein, we use a polyion complex micelle approach to control the position of trehalose relative to the surface of glucose oxidase within cross-linked and non-cross-linked single-enzyme nanoparticles (SENs). The distribution and density of trehalose molecules in the shell can be tuned by changing the structure of the underlying polymer, poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl] acrylamide (PDMAPA). SENs in which the trehalose is replaced with sucrose and acrylamide are prepared as well for comparison. Isothermal titration calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and asymmetric flow field-flow fraction in combination with multiangle light scattering reveal that two to six polymers bind to the enzyme. Binding either trehalose or sucrose close to the enzyme surface has very little effect on the thermal stability of the enzyme. By contrast, encapsulation of the enzyme within a cross-linked polymer shell significantly enhances its thermal stability and increases the unfolding temperature from 70.3 °C to 84.8 °C. Further improvements (up to 92.8 °C) can be seen when trehalose is built into this shell. Our data indicate that the structural confinement of the enzyme is a far more important driver in its thermal stability than the location of any sugar.

Polymeric nanocapsules: A review on design and production methods for pharmaceutical purpose

Polymeric nanocapsules have extensive application potential in medical, biological, and pharmaceutical fields, and, therefore, much research has been dedicated to their production. Indeed, production protocols and the materials used are decisive for obtaining the desired nanocapsules characteristics and biological performance. In addition to that, several technological strategies have been developed in the last decade to improve processing techniques and form more valuable nanocapsules. This review provides a guide to current methods for developing polymeric nanocapsules, reporting aspects to be considered when choosing appropriate materials, and discussing different ways to produce nanocapsules for superior performances.

Size controlled fabrication of enzyme encapsulated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticle and its intracellular biosensing application

Inorganic-enzyme composites have been widely used for applications in catalysis and analytical science. Amorphous calcium phosphate, as a biocompatible material, can form open hydrated structure to encapsulate and protect enzymes. So far, there have been few progress on size-adjustable amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles since the diameter controllability is limited by its natural aggregation characteristics. By co-precipitation and nano-channel extrusion, we developed enzyme-loaded amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles with adjustable diameters. These enzyme-loaded particles showed high thermal and chemical stability as well as biocompatibility. The nano-sized enzyme-loaded particles can further expand their application fields and be used as intracellular enzyme probes. Delivering glucose oxidase enzyme by amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles enables fluorescent monitoring of glucose levels in living cells, which can be used to study the metabolism rates of cancer cells and normal cells. The nano-channel extrusion method can also be used as a template to encapsulate different kinds of enzymes to expand catalysis and biosensing applications.

Structure-based mechanisms: On the way to apply alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases to organic-aqueous systems

Alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases catalyze enantioselective syntheses of versatile chiral compounds relying on direct hydride transfer from cofactor to substrates, or to an intermediate and then to substrates. Since most of the substrates catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases are insoluble in aqueous solutions, increasing interest has been turning to organic-aqueous systems. However, alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases are normally instable in organic solvents, leading to the unsatisfied enantioselective synthesis efficiency. The behaviors of these enzymes in organic solvents at an atomic level are unclear, thus it is of great importance to understand its structure-based mechanisms in organic-aqueous systems to improve their relative stability. Here, we summarized the accessible structures of alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases in Protein Data Bank crystallized in organic-aqueous systems, and compared the structures of alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases which have different tolerance towards organic solvents. By understanding the catalytic behaviors and mechanisms of these enzymes in organic-aqueous systems, the efficient enantioselective syntheses mediated by alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases and further challenges are also discussed through solvent engineering and enzyme-immobilization in the last decade.

Enzyme Scaffolds with Hierarchically Defined Properties via 3D Jet Writing

The immobilization of enzymes into polymer hydrogels is a versatile approach to improve their stability and utility in biotechnological and biomedical applications. However, these systems typically show limited enzyme activity, due to unfavorable pore dimensions and low enzyme accessibility. Here, 3D jet writing of water-based bioinks, which contain preloaded enzymes, is used to prepare hydrogel scaffolds with well-defined, tessellated micropores. After 3D jet writing, the scaffolds are chemically modified via photopolymerization to ensure mechanical stability. Enzyme loading and activity in the hydrogel scaffolds is fully retained over 3 d. Important structural parameters of the scaffolds such as pore size, pore geometry, and wall diameter are controlled with micrometer resolution to avoid mass-transport limitations. It is demonstrated that scaffold pore sizes between 120 µm and 1 mm can be created by 3D jet writing approaching the length scales of free diffusion in the hydrogels substrates and resulting in high levels of enzyme activity (21.2% activity relative to free enzyme). With further work, a broad range of applications for enzyme-laden hydrogel scaffolds including diagnostics and enzymatic cascade reactions is anticipated.

An Aminotransferase from Enhydrobacter aerosaccus to Obtain Optically Pure β-Phenylalanine

An aminotransferase ω-TAEn was identified from Enhydrobacter aerosaccus. The ω-TAEn was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and the obtained enzyme showed activity toward β-phenylalanine (β-phe) at optimal conditions. For optically pure (R)-β-phe, 50% yield was observed by kinetic resolution of racemic amino with pyruvate as the amino acceptor. To obtain (S)-β-phe, the lipase/ω-TAEn catalytic system was adopted. The ω-TAEn showed strict stereoselectivity to the amino donor. The formation of (S)-β-phe was observed using 3-aminobutyric acid as the amino donor, and (S)-β-phe was obtained by asymmetric synthesis with a yield of 82%.

Gold, Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Bionanoconjugation Strategies Aimed at Electrochemical Applications

Nanomaterials have revolutionized the sensing and biosensing fields, with the development of more sensitive and selective devices for multiple applications. Gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles have played a particularly major role in this development. In this review, we provide a general overview of the synthesis and characteristics of gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles, along with the main strategies for their surface functionalization with ligands and biomolecules. Finally, different architectures suitable for electrochemical applications are reviewed, as well as their main fabrication procedures. We conclude with some considerations from the authors' perspective regarding the promising use of these materials and the challenges to be faced in the near future.

Turning natural δ-lactones to thermodynamically stable polymers with triggered recyclability

Extending the use of natural δ-lactones in circular materials via a synthetic strategy yielding thermodynamically stable polyesters with triggered recyclability.

All Wrapped up: Stabilization of Enzymes within Single Enzyme Nanoparticles

Enzymes are extremely useful in many industrial and pharmaceutical areas due to their ability to catalyze reactions with high selectivity. In order to extend their lifetime, significant efforts have been made to increase their stability using protein- or medium engineering as well as by chemical modification. Many researchers have explored the immobilization of enzymes onto carriers, or entrapment within a matrix, framework or nanoparticle with the hope of constricting the movement of the enzyme and shielding it from aggressive environments, thus delaying the denaturation. These strategies often balance three competing interests: (i) maintaining high enzymatic activity, (ii) ensuring good long-term stability against temperature, dehydration, organic solvents, and or aggressive pH, and (iii) enabling a tuning or reversible switching of enzyme activity. In most cases, multiple enzymes will be contained within a single nanoparticle or matrix, but in recent years researchers have begun to wrap up individual enzymes within single enzyme nanoparticles (SENs). In these nanoparticles the enzyme is stabilized by a thin shell, typically a polymer, prepared either by in situ polymerization from the enzyme surface or by assembling a preformed polymer around it. Because of the increased control over the environment directly around the enzyme, and the possibility of more directly controlling substrate diffusion, many SENs show remarkable stability while retaining high initial activities even for quite fragile enzymes. Moreover, the activity of the enzyme can often be more easily fine-tuned by adjusting the layer properties. We postulate that this emerging field will offer exciting and elegant opportunities to both extend the catalytic lifetime of enzymes in aggressive solvents, temperatures and pH, and enable their activity to be switched on and off on demand by modulation of the outer material layer.

Photoinduced Miniemulsion Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Photomediated atom transfer radical polymerization (photoATRP) of (meth)acrylic monomers was conducted in miniemulsion media. The polymerization procedures took advantage of an ion-pair catalyst formed by interaction of Cu/TPMA² (TPMA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) and an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The ion-pair catalyst was efficient in controlling ATRP reactions with catalyst loadings as low as 100 ppm. The effect of different polymerization parameters, such as the size of the reaction vial, amount of surfactant, and solids content influencing the photoATRP in miniemulsion, was studied. The polymerization was conducted with solids content ranging from 5 to 50 vol % under a moderate surfactant loading (<5 wt % relative to monomer). Excellent temporal control was achieved upon switching the UV light on and off multiple times, and the polymer was successfully chain extended, indicating high retention of chain-end fidelity.