Dual-Enzyme Metal Hybrid Crystal for Direct Transformation of Whey Lactose into a High-Value Rare Sugar D-Tagatose: Synthesis, Characterization, and a Sustainable Process

Lanthanide coordination polymers@CuO nanoparticles: Enhanced self-cascade nanoenzyme activity and ratiometric fluorescence assay of glutathione

Tandem enzyme can catalyze some cascade reactions with high efficiency, and some few tandem enzyme-like mimics have been discovered recently. Further improving the catalytic efficiency of tandem nanoenzymes with facile method may undoubtedly promote and broaden their applications in various fields. In this work, cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) with dual-functional enzyme mimics were synthesized using the rapid deposition method in advance, which simultaneously combined with lanthanide infinite coordination polymers (Ln ICPs) during the self-assemble of Tb3+, guanine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) and auxiliary ligand terephthalic acid (TA). Excitingly, the obtained Tb-GTP/TA@CuO ICPs, not only displayed obviously enhanced tandem catalytic activity compared with pure CuO NPs, but also provided a versatile ratiometric platform for ultrahigh selective and sensitive detection of glutathione (GSH) under single-wavelength excitation. A good linear relationship between the ratio signal and the GSH concentration was spanning from 0.001 to 20 μM with an impressive detection limit of 0.50 nM. This study opens a new and universal avenue for preparing integrated multifunctional probes by coupling of nanoenzyme catalytic activity with superior luminescent Ln ICPs through facile method.

Sequential Co-Immobilization of Enzymes on Magnetic Nanoparticles for Efficient l-Xylulose Production

Multi-enzymatic strategies have shown improvement in bioconversion during cofactor regeneration. In this study, purified l-arabinitol 4-dehydrogenase (LAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase (Nox) were immobilized via individual, mixed, and sequential co-immobilization approaches on magnetic nanoparticles, and were evaluated to enhance the conversion of l-arabinitol to l-xylulose. Initially, the immobilization of LAD or Nox on the nanoparticles resulted in a maximum immobilization yield and relative activity of 91.4% and 98.8%, respectively. The immobilized enzymes showed better pH and temperature profiles than the corresponding free enzymes. Furthermore, co-immobilization of these enzymes via mixed and sequential methods resulted in high loadings of 114 and 122 mg/g of support, respectively. Sequential co-immobilization of these enzymes proved more beneficial for higher conversion than mixed co-immobilization because of better retaining Nox residual activity. Sequentially co-immobilized enzymes showed a high relative conversion yield with broader pH, temperature, and storage stability profiles than the controls, along with high reusability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mixed or sequential co-immobilization of LAD and Nox on magnetic nanoparticles for l-xylulose production. This finding suggests that selecting a sequential co-immobilization strategy is more beneficial than using individual or mixed co-immobilized enzymes on magnetic nanoparticles for enhancing conversion applications.

Biocatalytic Foams from Microdroplet-Formulated Self-Assembling Enzymes

Industrial biocatalysis plays an important role in the development of a sustainable economy, as enzymes can be used to synthesize an enormous range of complex molecules under environmentally friendly conditions. To further develop the field, intensive research is being conducted on process technologies for continuous flow biocatalysis in order to immobilize large quantities of enzyme biocatalysts in microstructured flow reactors under conditions that are as gentle as possible in order to realize efficient material conversions. Here, monodisperse foams consisting almost entirely of enzymes covalently linked via SpyCatcher/SpyTag conjugation are reported. The biocatalytic foams are readily available from recombinant enzymes via microfluidic air-in-water droplet formation, can be directly integrated into microreactors, and can be used for biocatalytic conversions after drying. Reactors prepared by this method show surprisingly high stability and biocatalytic activity. The physicochemical characterization of the new materials is described and exemplary applications in biocatalysis are shown using two-enzyme cascades for the stereoselective synthesis of chiral alcohols and the rare sugar tagatose.

Nondairy food applications of whey and milk permeates: Direct and indirect uses

Permeates are generated in the dairy industry as byproducts from the production of high-protein products (e.g., whey or milk protein isolates and concentrates). Traditionally, permeate was disposed of as waste or used in animal feed, but with the recent move toward a "zero waste" economy, these streams are being recognized for their potential use as ingredients, or as raw materials for the production of value-added products. Permeates can be added directly into foods such as baked goods, meats, and soups, for use as sucrose or sodium replacers, or can be used in the production of prebiotic drinks or sports beverages. In-direct applications generally utilize the lactose present in permeate for the production of higher value lactose derivatives, such as lactic acid, or prebiotic carbohydrates such as lactulose. However, the impurities present, short shelf life, and difficulty handling these streams can present challenges for manufacturers and hinder the efficiency of downstream processes, especially compared to pure lactose solutions. In addition, the majority of these applications are still in the research stage and the economic feasibility of each application still needs to be investigated. This review will discuss the wide variety of nondairy, food-based applications of milk and whey permeates, with particular focus on the advantages and disadvantages associated with each application and the suitability of different permeate types (i.e., milk, acid, or sweet whey).

Robust nano-enzyme conjugates for the sustainable synthesis of a rare sugar D-tagatose

Aim of present study was to develop biological catalysts of L-arabinose isomerase (L-AI) by immobilizing on four different supports such as multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), graphene oxide (GOx), Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA-15) and mobile composite matter (MCM-41). Also, comparative analysis of the developed catalysts was performed to evolve the best in terms of transformation efficiency for D-tagatose production. The developed nano-enzyme conjugates (NECs) were characterized using the high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and elemental analysis was performed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The functional groups were investigated by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. Also, the thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to plot a thermal degradation weight loss profile of NECs. The conjugated L-AI with MWCNT and GOx were found to be more promising immobilized catalysts due to their ability to provide more surface area. Conversion of D-Galactose to D-Tagatose at moderate temperature and pH was observed to attain the equilibrium level of transformation (~50%). On the contrary, NECs prepared using SBA-15 and MCM-41 as support matrix were unable to reach the equilibrium level of conversion. Additionally, the developed NECs were suitable for reuse in multiple batch cycles. Thus, promising nanotechnology coupled with biocatalysis made the transformation of D-Galactose into D-tagatose more economically sustainable.

Isomerization of Galactose to Tagatose: Recent Advances in Non-enzymatic Isomerization

The valorization of galactose derived from acid whey to low-calorie tagatose has gained increasing attention. Enzymatic isomerization is of great interest but faces several challenges, such as poor thermal stability of enzymes and a long processing time. In this work, non-enzymatic (supercritical fluids, triethylamine, arginine, boronate affinity, hydrotalcite, Sn-β zeolite, and calcium hydroxide) pathways for galactose to tagatose isomerization were critically discussed. Unfortunately, most of these chemicals showed poor tagatose yields (<30%), except for calcium hydroxide (>70%). The latter is able to form a tagatose-calcium hydroxide-water complex, which stimulates the equilibrium toward tagatose and prevents sugar degradation. Nevertheless, the excessive use of calcium hydroxide may pose challenges in terms of economic and environmental feasibility. Moreover, the proposed mechanisms for the base (enediol intermediate) and Lewis acid (hydride shift between C-2 and C-1) catalysis of galactose were elucidated. Overall, it is crucial to explore novel and effective catalysts as well as integrated systems for isomerizing of galactose to tagatose.

Rational Design to Enhance Enzyme Activity for the Establishment of an Enzyme-Inorganic Hybrid Nanoflower Co-Immobilization System for Efficient Nucleotide Production

Increasing yields while reducing costs is one of the ultimate pursuits of industrial production. To achieve this goal in the enzymatic production of multiple nucleotides, in this study, a co-immobilized polyphosphate kinase-nucleoside kinase hybridized nanoflower system (PPK@NK) was constructed. To improve the productivity, the nucleoside kinase (NK) used was rationally designed, and a variant with significantly increased activity compared to the wild type was obtained. The polyphosphate kinase (PPK) and NK could be sequentially adsorbed on the surface of hybrid nanoflowers at room temperature (25 °C) through the interaction of Cu²⁺ and proteins without any other chemical pretreatment. The optimal preparation conditions and reaction parameters of PPK@NK hybrid nanoflowers were investigated. Under optimal reaction conditions, the newly prepared co-immobilization system could catalyze the conversion of 100 mM uridine, cytidine, and inosine to the corresponding nucleotides completely within 4 h and could be reused at least six times. The storage stability of the co-immobilized system was more than 2-fold higher than that of the free enzyme, and there was no significant difference in thermostability. PPK@NK hybridized nanoflowers have properties such as easy preparation and storage and low cost, indicating their suitability for the efficient production of nucleotides.

Understanding intricacies of bioinspired organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers: A quest to achieve enhanced biomolecules immobilization for biocatalytic, biosensing and bioremediation applications

The immobilization of biomolecules has been a subject of interest for scientists for a long time. The organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers are a new class of nanostructures that act as a host platform for the immobilization of such biomolecules. It provides better practical applicability to these functional biomolecules while also providing superior activity and reusability when catalysis is involved. These nanostructures have a versatile and straightforward synthesis process and also exhibit enzyme mimicking activity in many cases. However, this facile synthesis involves many intricacies that require in-depth analysis to fully attain its potential as an immobilization technique. A complete account of all the factors involving the synthesis process optimisation is essential to be studied to make it commercially viable. This paper explores all the different aspects of hybrid nanoflowers which sets them apart from the conventional immobilization techniques while also giving an overview of its wide range of applications in industries.

Development of recyclable magnetic cross-linked enzyme aggregates for the synthesis of high value rare sugar d-tagatose in aqueous phase catalysis

In this study, a high value rare sugar d-tagatose was synthesized using recyclable magnetic catalysts.