Purification and characterization of a novel exocellular keratinase from Kocuria rosea

A keratinolytic protease activity secreted by Kocuria rosea when cultured in bioreactors using feathers as unique carbon and nitrogen source was purified and characterized. This novel keratinase activity was purified from the bioreaction broth growing media to apparent homogeneity after single step, (24-fold purification with a high yield of 54%) using DEAE column chromatography. The native molecular mass of the enzyme determined by gel filtration chromatography was 240 kDa. K. rosea extracellular keratinase was stable in a broad range of pH (8–11) and temperature (10–60 °C) profile with optimums at pH 10 and 40 °C. Crystalline soybean trypsin inhibitor (type I-S), 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl floride (AEBSF) and chymostatin, strongly inhibited the keratinolytic activity indicating that the keratinase belongs to the serine protease family. The K_m for the soluble keratin degradation from feathers was 242 μM. The enzyme was resistant to denaturing or reducing agents such as dithiotreitol and 2-mercaptoethanol. All of the biochemical characteristics, raising the potential use of this enzyme in numerous industrial applications.     

Improved functional properties of trypsin modified by monosubstituted amino-β-cyclodextrins

Bovine pancreatic trypsin was chemically modified by several β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide as coupling agent. The modifying agents used were mono-6-amino-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (CDNH₂), mono-6-ethylenediamino-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (CDEN), mono-6-propylenediamino-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (CDPN) and mono-6-butylenediamino-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (CDBN). The enzyme–cyclodextrin conjugates contained about 2 mol of oligosaccharide per mol of trypsin. The catalytic and thermal stability properties of trypsin were improved by the attachment of cyclodextrin residues, and these effects were markedly noticeable for cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives having an even number of carbon atoms in the spacer arms. The thermostability of the enzyme was increased by about 2.4–14.5 °C after modification. The conjugates prepared were also more stable against thermal incubation at different temperatures ranging from 45 to 60 °C. In comparison with native trypsin, the enzyme–cyclodextrin complexes were markedly more resistant to autolytic degradation at pH 9.0. Attending to the results here reported, we suggest that conjugation of enzymes with β-CD derivatives might be an useful method for improving the stability and the catalytic properties of these biocatalysts.     

C-Terminal proline-rich sequence broadens the optimal temperature and pH ranges of recombinant xylanase from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans C5

Efficient utilization of hemicellulose entails high catalytic capacity containing xylanases. In this study, proline rich sequence was fused together with a C-terminal of xylanase gene from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans C5 and designated as GthC5ProXyl. Both GthC5Xyl and GthC5ProXyl were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 host in order to determine effect of this modification. The C-terminal oligopeptide had noteworthy effects and instantaneously extended the optimal temperature and pH ranges and progressed the specific activity of GthC5Xyl. Compared with GthC5Xyl, GthC5ProXyl revealed improved specific activity, a higher temperature (70 °C versus 60 °C) and pH (8 versus 6) optimum, with broad ranges of temperature and pH (60–80 °C and 6.0–9.0 versus 40–60 °C and 5.0–8.0, respectively). The modified enzyme retained more than 80% activity after incubating in xylan for 3 h at 80 °C as compared to wild −type with only 45% residual activity. Our study demonstrated that proper introduction of proline residues on C-terminal surface of xylanase family might be very effective in improvement of enzyme thermostability. Moreover, this study reveals an engineering strategy to improve the catalytic performance of enzymes.     

Enzymatic properties of a novel highly active and chelator resistant protease from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa PD100

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PD100 capable of producing an extracellular protease was isolated from the soil collected from local area (garbage site) from Shivage market in Pune, India. The purified protease showed a single band on native and SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 36 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH value and temperature range were found to be 8 and 55–60 °C, respectively. The enzyme exhibited broad range of substrate specificity with higher activity for collagen. The enzyme was inhibited with low concentration of Ag²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺. β-Mercaptoethanol was able to inactivate the enzyme at 2.5 mM, suggesting that disulfide bond(s) play a critical role in the enzyme activity. Studies with inhibitors showed that different classes of protease inhibitors, known to inhibit specific proteases, could not inhibit the activity of this protease. Amino acid modification studies data and pK_a values showed that Cys, His and Trp were involved in the protease activity. P. aeruginosa PD100 produces one form of protease with some different properties as compared to other reported proteases from P. aeruginosa strains. With respect to properties of the purified protease such as pH optimum, temperature stability with capability to degrade different proteins, high stability in the presences of detergents and chemicals, and metal ions independency, suggesting that it has great potential for different applications.     

Improving the catalytic performance of porcine pancreatic lipase in the presence of [MMIm][MeSO4] with the modification of functional ionic liquids

Porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) was chemically modified with various functional ionic liquids (ILs) to increase its catalytic performance in water-miscible IL. Catalytic activity and thermostability were tested with a p-nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP) hydrolysis reaction. The native enzyme lost 18% of its initial activity in 0.4 M [MMIm][MeSO₄], whereas the activities of all the modified enzymes increased. The [HOOCBMIm][Cl] modification led to a 2-fold increase in activity in 0.3 M [MMIm][MeSO₄] than in aqueous. All the modified enzymes exhibited higher thermostability compared with the native enzyme at high temperature. In particular, the [HOOCBMIm][Cl] modification led to a 6-fold increase in thermostability at 60 °C. Conformational changes were confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy to elucidate the mechanism of catalytic performance alteration.     

Enhanced stability of Kluyveromyces lactis β galactosidase immobilized on glutaraldehyde modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The present study demonstrates covalent immobilization of Kluyveromyces lactis β galactosidase on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Highly efficient surface modification of MWCNTs was achieved by glutaraldehyde for binding greater amount of enzyme. X-ray diffraction analysis and UV visible spectroscopy of MWCNTs showed them to be entirely dispersive in aqueous solution. Transmission electron microscopy showed that MWCNTs were of 20 nm size. Thermogravimetric analysis further revealed the stability of glutaraldehyde modified MWCNT as an ideal matrix for enzyme immobilization. The optimal pH for soluble and immobilized β galactosidase was observed at pH 7.0 while the optimal operating temperatures were observed at 40 °C and 50 °C, respectively. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that β galactosidase immobilized on surface functionalized MWCNTs retained greater biocatalytic activity at higher galactose concentration, and upon repeated uses as compared to enzyme in solution.     

Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on electrospun cellulose nanofiber membrane

A biocatalyst with high activity retention of lipase was fabricated by the covalent immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on a cellulose nanofiber membrane. This nanofiber membrane was composed of nonwoven fibers with 200 nm nominal fiber diameter. It was prepared by electrospinning of cellulose acetate (CA) and then modified with alkaline hydrolysis to convert the nanofiber surface into regenerated cellulose (RC). The nanofiber membrane was further oxidized by NaIO₄. Aldehyde groups were simultaneously generated on the nanofiber surface for coupling with lipase. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to model and optimize the modification conditions, namely NaIO₄ content (2–10 mg/mL), reaction time (2–10 h), reaction temperature (25–35 °C) and reaction pH (5.5–6.5). Well-correlating models were established for the residual activity of the immobilized enzyme (R² = 0.9228 and 0.8950). We found an enzymatic activity of 29.6 U/g of the biocatalyst was obtained with optimum operational conditions. The immobilized lipase exhibited significantly higher thermal stability and durability than equivalent free enzyme.     

Active biocatalysts based on Candida rugosa lipase immobilized in vesicular silica

Vesicular silica (VS) with hierarchical structure was prepared by utilizing cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the structure directing agents, and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) as the micelle expander. The resulting unilamellar and multilamellar VS with interlamellar mean mesopore size of 15–20 nm and shell thickness of 5–15 nm were used as supports for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) through physical adsorption. Possible mechanisms for the formation of VS and the immobilization of CRL on VS are proposed. N₂ adsorption-desorption experiments and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements demonstrated that CRL was adsorbed into the curved channels of the VS. The catalytic activity, thermal stability, and reusability of VS immobilized CRL were assayed in phosphate buffer medium by hydrolysis of triacetin. The effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity were also investigated. We report that VS immobilized CRL exhibited outstanding adaptability at higher pH and temperature, and excellent thermal stability and reusability compared with free CRL.     

Immobilized lipase on porous silica particles: Preparation and application for biodegradable polymer syntheses in ionic liquid at higher temperature

Porous silica particles (PSP) modified with different surface active groups were prepared for covalent immobilization of porcine pancreas lipase (PPL). Organosilanes combined with reactive end amino-group or epoxy-group were employed for the modification through silanization process. Polyethylenimine and long chain alkyl silane coupling agent were also used in the modification process. Several modification-immobilization strategies were performed, while good coupling yield could be achieved within the range of 86.2–158.2 mg of native PPL per gram of the carrier. Furthermore, at higher temperature, the resulting immobilized PPL (IPPL) could successfully perform the syntheses of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one) (PDTC) in ionic liquid medium. No polymers could be obtained catalyzed by native PPL, suggesting that IPPL showed much higher catalytic activity than native PPL. Effect of different treatments on the activity of IPPL also showed the long time high temperature stability in ionic liquid medium, contributing to a good combination of immobilization and ionic liquids effect. The catalytic activity of IPPL for polymerization was closely related to both the properties of immobilized enzyme and cyclic monomer. This work would be expected to highlight further careful design of immobilized enzyme for a wide range of application, especially in biodegradable polymers syntheses.     

Purification and characterization of two thermostable protease fractions from Bacillus megaterium

Protease enzyme from Bacillus megaterium was successively purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The purification steps of protease resulted in the production of two protease fractions namely protease P1 and P2 with specific activities of 561.27 and 317.23 U mg^?1 of protein, respectively. The molecular weights of B. megaterium P1 and P2 were 28 and 25 KDa, respectively. The purified fractions P1 and P2 were rich in aspartic acid and serine. Relatively higher amounts of alanine, leucine, glycine, valine, thereonine valine and glutamic acid were also present. The maximum protease activities for both enzyme fractions were attained at 50 °C, pH 7.5, 1% of gelatine concentration and 0.5 enzyme concentrations. P1 and P2 fractions were more stable over pH 7.0–8.5 and able to prolong their thermal stability up to 80 °C. The effect of different inhibitors on the protease activity of both enzyme fractions was also studied. The enzyme was found to be serine active as it had been affected by lower concentrations of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). Complete dehairing of the enzyme-treated skin was achieved in 12 h, at room temperature.     

Degradation of chitin and production of bioactive materials by bioconversion of squid pens

Serratia marcescens TKU011, a protease- and chitosanase-producing bacterium, the optimized condition for protease and chitosanase production was found after the media were heated at 121 °C for 120 min and the culture was shaken at 25 °C for 5 days in 100 mL of medium containing 1% squid pen powder (SPP) (w/v), 0.1% K₂HPO₄, and 0.05% MgSO₄. An extracellular metalloprotease with novel properties of solvent stable, and alkaline was purified from the culture supernatant of S. marcescens TKU011 with squid pen wastes as the sole carbon/nitrogen source. The enzyme was a monomeric protease with a molecular mass of 48–50 kDa by SDS–PAGE and gel filtration chromatography. The optimum pH, optimum temperature, pH stability, and thermal stability of TKU011 protease were 8, 50 °C, pH 5–11, and <40 °C, respectively. Besides protease and chitosanase, with this method, deproteinization of squid pen for β-chitin, the production of peptide and reducing sugar may be useful for biological applications.     

Characterization of lactase-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles

Conjugation of lactase to magnetic nanoparticles is of interest in biosensor and ingredient processing applications that require high enzyme concentration and catalyst separation from the reaction stream. However, little is known about the effects of these materials on the physicochemical attributes of conjugated lactase. Lactase (Aspergillus oryzae) was covalently attached by carbodiimide chemistry to carboxylic-acid functionalized magnetic particles having a hydrodynamic radius of 18 nm. The resulting enzyme–nanoparticle conjugates were characterized with regard to particle size, zeta potential, enzyme kinetics, temperature and pH stability, catalyst recovery, and secondary structure changes. Following attachment, the materials retained colloidal stability and individual particle characteristics with a zeta potential of ?33 mV compared to ?46 mV for the native particle. The conjugated enzyme showed no changes in secondary structure and exhibited significant catalytic activity with a catalytic efficiency of 2.8 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 compared to 2.5 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the native enzyme. Relative to the free enzyme, the conjugated enzyme was recovered for repeated use with 78% activity retained after five cycles. This work demonstrates that carboxylic-acid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can be utilized as a means of producing a simple and effective conjugated-lactase system that achieves both particle and enzyme stability.     

Geranyl acetate synthesis catalyzed by Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase immobilized on electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membrane

Isolated Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) was immobilized by different protocols on the polyacrylonitrile nanofibers membrane. The conditions for immobilization of TLL were optimized by investigating effect of protein concentration, time and temperature on the extent of immobilization. The effect of immobilization on the catalytic activity and stability of lipase was studied thoroughly. The immobilized TLL was used as biocatalyst for geranyl acetate synthesis with geraniol and vinyl acetate as substrates and their performance was compared with free enzyme. The TLL immobilized by physical adsorption shows higher transesterification and hydrolytic activities than that of covalently linked or native TLL. There was 32 and 9 fold increase in transesterification activity of TLL immobilized by adsorption and covalent bonding, while hydrolytic activity increases only by 3.6 and 1.8 fold respectively. The optimum conditions for immobilization in both the cases were immobilization time 90–150 min, temperature 45 °C and protein concentration of 2 mg/ml. The percentage conversion of ester was more than 90% and 66% in case of physically adsorbed and covalently bonded enzyme respectively as compared to native one. However, covalently immobilized TLL shows higher operational stability than native and physically adsorbed TLL.     

Immobilization of xylanase on glutaraldehyde activated aluminum oxide pellets for increasing digestibility of poultry feed

This paper reports covalent immobilization of xylanase by response surface methodology on glutaraldehyde-activated aluminum oxide pellets. The optimization of process parameters gave an immobilization yield of 83.65%. The bound enzyme displayed increase in optimum temperature (from 50 to 60 °C) and V_max (from 3333.33 to 5000 IU/mL) in comparison with free enzyme. The pH and temperature stability were also enhanced. An observed increase in half-lives and D-values resulted in improved thermostability. Thermodynamically, increase in enthalpy and free energy change after covalent immobilization could be credited to the enhanced stability. Immobilized xylanase could be reused for 10 consecutive cycles retaining 60% of its initial activity. It was found to be effective in releasing reducing sugar from poultry feed. Immobilization on aluminum oxide pellets is important due to their mechanical resistance at high pH and temperature. So, considerable stability and reusability of bound enzyme may be advantageous for its industrial application.     

Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on hexagonal mesoporous silicas and selective esterification in nonaqueous medium

Candida rugosa lipases (CRLs) immobilized by physical adsorption, cross-linking and covalent binding methods on a MSU-H type mesoporous silica previously modified organically by different strategies, respectively, were examined as biocatalysts for esterification of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and ethanol in nonaqueous medium. MSU-H silica was modified by nonionic surfactant of triblock copolymer Pluronic P123, amino-functionalization and glutaraldehyde-grafting and confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Interaction mechanisms of CRLs and supports involve covalent and non-covalent interactions including electrostatic repulsion and hydrophobic interaction at pH 7. The immobilized CRLs containing surfactant were prepared by cross-linking via entrapping CRL aggregates inside the pores of silicas. The surfactant located inside the silicas could interfacially activate the immobilized CRLs and favored catalytic esterification. The biocatalyst containing 38 wt.% of surfactant afforded 1111.1 U/mg of specific activity about eight times higher than soluble CRL, and maximal 56.7% of total CLA esterification with 96.5% of 9c, 11t-CLA isomer esterification degree. The immobilized-CRL with 64.5 mg/g of loading amount of protein exhibited maximal hydrolytic activity of 2945.3 U/g-support for grafting glutaraldehyde. This derivative showed a high level of esterification activity and operational stability and remained 43.2–46.9% of total esterification for 32 h consecutive four runs.     

A novel surfactant-stable alkaline serine-protease from a newly isolated Bacillus mojavensis A21. Purification and characterization

An extracellular bleach stable protease producing strain was isolated from marine water sample and identified as Bacillus mojavensis A21 on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and biochemical properties. The A21 alkaline protease was purified from the culture supernatant to homogeneity using acetone precipitation, Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and CM-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography, with a 6.43-fold increase in specific activity and 16.56% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 20 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH from 7.0 to 13.0, with an optimum at pH 8.5. The relative activities at pH 11.0 and 12.0 were about 80 and 71.7% of that obtained at pH 8.5. The enzyme was extremely stable in the pH range of 7.0–12.0. It exhibited maximal activity at 60 °C. The thermostability of the enzyme was significantly increased by the addition of CaCl₂. The activity of the enzyme was totally lost in the presence of PMSF, suggesting that the purified enzyme is a serine protease.The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 20 amino acids of the purified protease was DINGGGATLPQKLYQTSGVL. B. mojavensis A21 protease showed low homology with bacterial peptidases, suggesting that the enzyme is a new protease.The alkaline protease showed high stability towards anionic (0.1% SDS) and non-ionic (1 and 5% Tween 80 and 1% Triton X-100) surfactants. In addition, the enzyme was relatively stable towards oxidizing agents, retaining more than 79 and 70% of its initial activity after 1 h incubation in the presence of 1% H₂O₂ and 0.1% sodium perborate, respectively. The enzyme showed excellent stability with a wide range of commercial solid and liquid detergents at 30 and 40 °C. Considering its promising properties, B. mojavensis A21 may find potential application in laundry detergents.     

Isolation,purification and biochemical characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase-III from germinated Vigna radiata seeds

Genome analysis of plants indicated majority of putative protease genes that need characterization at enzymatic and molecular level. Proteases execute important role in seed development but knowledge of dipeptidylpeptidases in seeds is limited. A dipeptidylpeptidase-III that cleaves Arg-Arg from Arg-Arg-4mβNA was purified from germinated Mung bean seeds. Screening of cereals and legumes for DPP-III revealed highest activity in Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna radiata (variety P.9531) seeds germinated for 48 h. Homogenate (10%) was acid precipitated upto pH 4.2 and then subjected to 0–55% ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by successive chromatographies on cation exchanger, gel filtration and anion exchanger. Enzyme purity was confirmed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in situ gel assays. DPP-III is a heterodimer of ～60 kDa with two subunits of 32.8 kDa and 27 kDa on SDS-PAGE. DPP-III worked optimally at pH 8.0 and at 37 °C with pH stability between 7.5 to 9.5. Arg-Arg-4mβNA was preferred substrate and none of endopeptidase and monopeptidase substrates were hydrolysed. Inhibitors studies revealed it as thiol protease with involvement of metals at active site. The enzyme might be involved in plant's development by generating/deactivating bioactive peptides. Further studies on functional characterization and molecular structure are in progress in our laboratory.     

Improved yield and stability of amylase by multipoint covalent binding on polyglutaraldehyde activated chitosan beads: Activation of denatured enzyme molecules by calcium ions

In this study raw starch digesting amylase (RSDA) from Aspergillus carbonarius (Bainier) Thom IMI 366159 was stabilized by covalent binding on polyglutaraldehyde (PG), glutaraldehyde (G) activated chitosan beads or post immobilization cross linking of enzyme adsorbed on chitosan. Presence of Ca²⁺ ions (0.5–1.5 mM) activated the PG and G derivatives but repressed the crosslinked enzyme. Optimum pH for cross linked derivative increased by 2 units but was unaltered for PG and G derivatives. Immobilized amylase exhibited improved thermal and storage stability. Immobilized derivatives had no loss of activity after 1 month storage and retained above 90% activity after 10 batch reactions of 60 min each. Immobilization successfully stabilized RSDA and immobilized enzyme from A. carbonarius can be applied in numerous industries for cheap, cost effective and environmentally friendly starch hydrolytic processes to simple sugars.     

Amino silicones finished fabrics for lipase immobilization: Fabrics finishing and catalytic performance of immobilized lipase

Finishing of silk fabric was achieved by using amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and lipase from Candida sp. 99-125 was immobilized on the treated silk fabrics. Hydrophobic fabrics were obtained by dipping the native fabric in 0.125–0.25% (w/v) PDMS solution and dried at 70 °C. The direct adsorption on PDMS-treated fabric was verified to be a better strategy for lipase immobilization than that by covalent binding. Compared to unfinished fabrics, the hydrolytic activity of immobilized enzyme on the finished fabric was improved by 1.6 times. Moreover, the activity of immobilized enzymes on hydrophobic fabrics was significantly improved in different concentrations of strong polar solvents such as methanol and ethanol, and in common organic solvents with different octanol–water partition coefficients (Log P). Enzymatic activity and stability in 15% water content system (added water accounted for the total reaction mixtures, v/v) showed more than 30% improvement in each batch. The amino–silicone finished fabric surface was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic fabric immobilized enzyme could be recycled for more than 80 times with no significant decrease in esterification activity. PDMS-treated woven silk fabrics could be a potential support for lipase immobilization in catalytic esterification processes.