Bacterial cellulose membrane – A new support carrier for yeast immobilization for ethanol fermentation

The aim of the work was to study the properties of the bacterial cellulose membrane (BCM) and the feasibility of using it as a new, environmentally friendly support carrier for yeast cell immobilization. It was observed that the morphology of BCM varied with different cultivation methods and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed that the yeast cells were entrapped in the porous network of BCM obtained from the static culture and stabilized by the cross-linked fibrils. Particularly, the research confirmed the effectiveness of yeast immobilization in BCM reflected by the high yield of alcohol (9.7% v/v, a 21.25% increase of those using free cells) and the high stability. The specific rate of ethanol production by the immobilized cells in BCM was 2.1 g g⁻¹ h⁻¹, 31.3% greater than that of the suspended cells. Results implied that applying BCM as the support carrier had little adverse effects on cell viability and proliferation. Instead, it facilitated the product leakage and nutrients transportation through the porous network.     

壳聚糖载体的改性及其用于固定化漆酶的研究

利用有机酸改性壳聚糖,并用交联法制备酸化的壳聚糖载体,然后用改性壳聚糖载体固定漆酶。甲酸、乙酸改性壳聚糖的最适条件:壳聚糖与甲酸、乙酸的质量摩尔比(g/mol)分别为100∶1、100∶1.5,戊二醛的质量分数为1%,缓冲溶液的pH分别是4.4、5.0,反应时间为3h;壳聚糖与酒石酸、草酸的质量摩尔比(g/mol)分别为100∶0.5、100∶2,戊二醛的质量分数为2%,缓冲溶液的pH分别是3.6、4.2,反应时间为4.5h。不同有机酸改性的壳聚糖用于漆酶的固定,其酶活都有不同程度的提高,尤其用酒石酸改性的壳聚糖载体效果最好,其酶活提高了57%。     

Copper incorporation into recombinant CotA laccase from Bacillus subtilis: characterization of fully copper loaded enzymes

The copper content of recombinant CotA laccase from Bacillus subtilis produced by Escherichia coli cells is shown to be strongly dependent on the presence of copper and oxygen in the culture media. In copper-supplemented media, a switch from aerobic to microaerobic conditions leads to the synthesis of a recombinant holoenzyme, while the maintenance of aerobic conditions results in the synthesis of a copper-depleted population of proteins. Strikingly, cells grown under microaerobic conditions accumulate up to 80-fold more copper than aerobically grown cells. In vitro copper incorporation into apoenzymes was monitored by optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. This analysis reveals that copper incorporation into CotA laccase is a sequential process, with the type 1 copper center being the first to be reconstituted, followed by the type 2 and the type 3 copper centers. The copper reconstitution of holoCotA derivatives depleted in vitro with EDTA results in the complete recovery of the native conformation as monitored by spectroscopic, kinetic and thermal stability analysis. However, the reconstitution of copper to apo forms produced in cultures under aerobic and copper-deficient conditions resulted in incomplete recovery of biochemical properties of the holoenzyme. EPR and resonance Raman data indicate that, presumably, folding in the presence of copper is indispensable for the correct structure of the trinuclear copper-containing site.     

Application of bacterial cellulose pellets in enzyme immobilization

Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of cellulose materials in bioprocessing technologies. Bacterial cellulose which is the pure cellulose has unique physical properties which differ from those of plant cellulose and has therefore attracted attention as a new functional material. The applications of bacterial cellulose rarely use the pellet type but it has potential in enzyme immobilization since pellet form is usually used in this field. In this research, Glucoamylase which is widely used in the food industry was immobilized on bacterial cellulose beads after testing using various activation procedures. The results showed that the epoxy method with glutaraldehyde coupling was the best method. After comparison of the different types of bacterial cellulose beads for glucoamylase immobilization, the wet bacterial cellulose beads of the smallest size (0.5–1.5 mm) were the best support. The immobilization of enzyme enhances its stability against changes in the pH value and temperature especially in the lower temperature region. The relative activity of the immobilized glucoamylase was still above 77% at pH 2.0 and it was the highest value in the literature. The relative activities were more than 68% in the lower temperature region even at 20 °C. Thus, bacterial cellulose beads are a practical potential support for the preparation of immobilized enzymes in industrial applications.     

Sucrose phosphorylase as cross-linked enzyme aggregate: Improved thermal stability for industrial applications

Sucrose phosphorylase is an interesting biocatalyst that can glycosylate a variety of small molecules using sucrose as a cheap but efficient donor substrate. The low thermostability of the enzyme, however, limits its industrial applications, as these are preferably performed at 60°C to avoid microbial contamination. Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) of the sucrose phosphorylase from Bifidobacterium adolescentis were found to have a temperature optimum that is 17°C higher than that of the soluble enzyme. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme displays an exceptional thermostability, retaining all of its activity after 1 week incubation at 60°C. Recycling of the biocatalyst allows its use in at least ten consecutive reactions, which should dramatically increase the commercial potential of its glycosylating activity.     

Enzymatic hydrolysate of geniposide directly acts as cross-linking agent for enzyme immobilization

Enzyme immobilization is a routine biotechnology of many industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical and food. Among the different techniques of enzyme immobilization, cross-linking methods are often used. Geniposide is a natural product extracted from gardenia and its hydrolysate genipin is one of green cross-linking agent for enzyme immobilization, but the environmental pollution and cost of the genipin extraction process have become the main obstacle to its wide application. Enzyme β-glucosidase was immobilized on chitosan by self-catalysis and further used to hydrolyze geniposide. The laccase was immobilized on Nano-SiO₂ through the hydrolysate of geniposide directly acts as cross-linking agent. The simplification of the extraction steps overcomes the obstacles to the widespread use of genipin. Compared with the free laccase, the Nano-SiO₂@laccase exhibited better pH stability and thermal stability. The Nano-SiO₂@laccase was used to degrade Bisphenol A (BPA) and the biodegradation efficiency of the Nano-SiO₂@laccase was 84.3 % after 10 cycles of reusing.     

Protamine immobilization and heparin adsorption on the protamine-bound cellulose fiber membrane

Immobilization of protamine to the inner lumen of cellulose hollow fibers has been shown useful in preventing both heparin- and protamine-induced complications during an extracorporeal blood circulation procedure. The current study examined the effects of variables on the immobilization of protamine to cyanogen bromide (CNBr)-activated cellulose hollow fibers. The degree of protamine immobilization was controlled by three independent parameters: the amount of CNBr used during the activation process, the duration of the coupling process, and the protamine concentration in the coupling solution. By the adjustment of these parameters, cellulose fibers containing desired amounts of immobilized protamine (ranging from 1 to 20 mg of immobilized protamine per gram of dry fibers) were readily prepared.Heparin adsorption to the protamine-bound cellulose fibers was also examined. The adsorption isotherm followed a Langmuir adsorption model. The amount of heparin adsorbed was dependent on both the heparin concentration in the substrate solution and the protamine loading on the fibers. The Langmuir adsorption constant K was estimated to be 0.37 +/- 0.06 mL/mg, whereas the saturation capacity Q(s) of the protamine-bound fibers increased with increasing the protamine loading.     

Production of nanocellulose in miniature-bioreactor: Optimization and characterization

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a very fascinating microbial biopolymer which is mainly produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinum. Optimization of BC production by G. xylinum was performed based on scale-down studies in miniature-bioreactor and response surface methodology in which the optimum pH value (6.5) and shaking rate (50?rpm) were obtained. The static culture condition for BC production has newly been defined. Nanostructure of BC includes nanofibers up to (60?nm) and nanoporosity up to (265?nm) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. By Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study, the most expected BC interaction is nucleophilic interaction. MTT assay showed high biocompatibility. Appropriate mechanical strength (0.37?MPa) and Young’s modulus (3.36?MPa) evinced BC scaffold utilization for skin tissue. The results indicate that BC sheets can be utilized in biomedical application and nanotechnology approaches.     

Integrating enzyme immobilization and protein engineering: An alternative path for the development of novel and improved industrial biocatalysts

Enzyme immobilization often achieves reusable biocatalysts with improved operational stability and solvent resistance. However, these modifications are generally associated with a decrease in activity or detrimental modifications in catalytic properties. On the other hand, protein engineering aims to generate enzymes with increased performance at specific conditions by means of genetic manipulation, directed evolution and rational design. However, the achieved biocatalysts are generally generated as soluble enzymes, ?thus not reusable- and their performance under real operational conditions is uncertain.Combined protein engineering and enzyme immobilization approaches have been employed as parallel or consecutive strategies for improving an enzyme of interest. Recent reports show efforts on simultaneously improving both enzymatic and immobilization components through genetic modification of enzymes and optimizing binding chemistry for site-specific and oriented immobilization. Nonetheless, enzyme engineering and immobilization are usually performed as separate workflows to achieve improved biocatalysts.In this review, we summarize and discuss recent research aiming to integrate enzyme immobilization and protein engineering and propose strategies to further converge protein engineering and enzyme immobilization efforts into a novel “immobilized biocatalyst engineering” research field. We believe that through the integration of both enzyme engineering and enzyme immobilization strategies, novel biocatalysts can be obtained, not only as the sum of independently improved intrinsic and operational properties of enzymes, but ultimately tailored specifically for increased performance as immobilized biocatalysts, potentially paving the way for a qualitative jump in the development of efficient, stable biocatalysts with greater real-world potential in challenging bioprocess applications.     

Bacterial cellulose reinforced polyurethane-based resin nanocomposite: A study of how ethanol and processing pressure affect physical, mechanical and dielectric properties

Nanocomposite films of bacterial cellulose (10-50 wt%) and polyurethane-based resin were prepared and characterized for physical, mechanical and dielectric properties. It was observed that the bacterial cellulose swelled in ethanol, and that bacterial cellulose sheets prepared from fibre suspension in ethanol exhibited a relatively less dense structure in comparison to those processed from aqueous fibre suspension. Nanocomposites fabricated from ethanol suspension also showed inferior mechanical properties but superior dielectric properties. Higher amounts of free proton generated from ethanol can induce more dipole mechanism; therefore, there is higher mobility of proton localized along cellulose chain, indicating that higher dielectric constants can be obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclodextrin-based polymers as a support for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase

The objective of this study was to prepare cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase. The structures of synthesized macrocyclic compounds were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Properties of the immobilized systems were assessed and their performance on hydrolytic reaction were evaluated and compared with the free enzyme. The influence of activation agents (glutaraldehyde (GA) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI)) and thermal and pH stabilities of the biocatalyst was evaluated. After the optimization of immobilization process, the physical and chemical characterization of immobilized lipase was performed. Obtained data showed that the immobilized enzyme seemed better and offered some advantages in comparison with free enzyme. It can be observed that the free lipase loses its initial activity within around 80 min at 60 °C, while the immobilized lipases retain their initial activities of about 56% by HMDI and 82% by GA after 120 min of heat treatment at 60 °C.Results showed that the specific activity of the immobilized lipase with glutaraldehyde was 62.75 U/mg protein, which is 28.13 times higher than that of the immobilized lipase with HMDI.     

A new generation approach in enzyme immobilization: Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers with enhanced catalytic activity and stability

Many different micro and nano sized materials have been used for enzymes immobilization in order to increase their catalytic activity and stability. Generally, immobilized enzymes with conventional immobilization techniques exhibit improved stability while their activity is lowered compared to free enzymes. Recently, an elegant immobilization approach was discovered in synthesis of flower-like organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures with extraordinary catalytic activity and stability. In this novel immobilization strategy, proteins (enzymes) and metal ions acted as organic and inorganic components, respectively to form hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs). It is demonstrated that the hNFs highly enhanced catalytic activities and stability in a wide range of experimental conditions (pHs, temperatures and salt concentration, etc.) compared to free and conventionally immobilized enzymes. This review mainly discussed the synthesis, characterization, development and applications of organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers formed of various enzymes and metal ions and explained potential mechanism underlying enhanced catalytic activity and stability.     

Expression and characterization of a recombinant multi-copper oxidase: laccase IV from Trametes versicolor

A cDNA encoding LccIV, a previously uncharacterized laccase isozyme of the white-rot basidiomycete Trametes versicolor, was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The LccIV isozyme is not expressed by T. versicolor under normal culture conditions and the enzyme was, therefore, investigated to determine whether it had any unusual properties. The native signal peptide of LccIV directed efficient secretion and correct proteolytic processing of LccIV to the mature form, whereas, substitution with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-mating factor signal peptide led to retention of an additional tetrapeptide at the amino-terminus of the secreted enzyme and ∼25% lower specific activity in fermentor medium. Active LccIV was purified to homogeneity by sequential steps of ion-exchange, size-exclusion and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The enzyme contains ∼25% N-linked glycans (∼40% total carbohydrate) and has an apparent molecular mass of ∼85 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and ∼100 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography, indicating a monomeric structure. A pH of 5.5 was optimal for oxidation of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). Thus, the LccIV isozyme appears to be similar in these respects to the laccase isozymes constitutively expressed by T. versicolor.     

Carboxymethyl cellulose as a new heterobifunctional ligand carrier for affinity precipitation of proteins

Affinity precipitation is a technique that imparts selectivity to the widely used primary purification step of precipitation of proteins from crude extracts. Hetero-bifunctional affinity precipitation involves use of reversibly soluble/insoluble polymers that can be used as backbones to conjugate affinity ligands for specific separations. A variety of such polymers have been reported in literature. In this work we report development of carboxymethyl cellulose (CM cellulose) as a cheap, readily available and versatile reversibly soluble polymer system. Available CM cellulose as sodium salt could be quantitatively precipitated from its aqueous solution in presence of about 50 mM calcium and 7.2% w/v polyethylene glycol-4000, and could be resolubilised in the working buffer in absence of calcium, polyethylene glycol or both. Effectiveness of the CM cellulose-calcium-polyethylene glycol system was demonstrated by purifying lactate dehydrogenase from porcine muscle extractusing covalently conjugated Cibacron blue dye-ligand. By careful choice of conditions that suppressed non-specific interactions, the system was shown to be an effective affinity precipitation polymer system inspite of the polyelectrolytic nature of CM cellulose. Up to 23 fold purification of the enzyme from crude extarct was obtained in one single precipitation sequence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Examination of aqueous oxidized cellulose dispersions as a potential drug carrier. I. Preparation and characterization of oxidized cellulose-phenylpropanolamine complexes

Partially neutralized aqueous dispersions of oxidized cellulose (OC) (COOH content 24.2%; degree of neutralization [DN] 0.22-0.44; solid content 14.4% wt/wt), a biocompatible biodegradable polymer, were prepared and their use to entrap an amine drug was demonstrated. Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA.HCl) was used as a model drug. OCA-PPA complexes were prepared by adding the drug solution to the OC dispersion. Light microscopy, powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize hydrated and dried OC and the OC-PPA complexes. Drug loading and drug-loading efficiency were calculated from high-performance liquid chromatography. Light microscopy revealed the partially neutralized OC to exist as swollen fibers in the dispersion. The degree of swelling increased with increasing DN of the OC. All dispersions, irrespective of DN, showed a pseudo-plastic flow. The drug loading (12.6%-26.7%) and drug-loading efficiency (30%-48%) increased linearly with increasing DN and drug concentration. The PXRD of the OC-PPA complexes showed no diffraction peaks due to PPA, suggesting that the drug exists in the amorphous state. The FT-IR spectra of the complexes revealed the presence of an ionic linkage between OC and PPA. In conclusion, the results show that the aqueous OC dispersions can be used to molecularly entrap amine drugs to produce an OC-drug complex linked via an ionic linkage.     

Tuning of Lecitase features via solid-phase chemical modification: Effect of the immobilization protocol

Lecitase Ultra (a quimeric fosfolipase commercialized by Novozymes) has been immobilized via two different strategies: mild covalent attachment on cyanogen bromide agarose beads and interfacial activation on octyl-agarose beads. Both immobilized preparations have been submitted to different individual or cascade chemical modifications (amination, glutaraldehyde or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS) modification) in order to check the effect of these modifications on the catalytic features of the immobilized enzymes (including stability and substrate specificity under different conditions). The first point to be remarked is that the immobilization strongly affects the enzyme catalytic features: octyl-Lecitase was more active versus p-nitrophenylbutyrate but less active versus methyl phenylacetate than the covalent preparations. Moreover, the effects of the chemical modifications strongly depend on the immobilization strategy used. For example, using one immobilization protocol a modification improves activity, while for the other immobiled enzyme is even negative. Most of the modifications presented a positive effect on some enzyme properties under certain conditions, although in certain cases that modification presented a negative effect under other conditions. For example, glutaraldehyde modification of immobilized or modified and aminated enzyme permitted to improve enzyme stability of both immobilized enzymes at pH 7 and 9 (around a 10-fold), but only the aminated enzyme improved the enzyme stability at pH 5 by glutaraldehyde treatment. This occurred even though some intermolecular crosslinking could be detected via SDS-PAGE. Amination improved the stability of octyl-Lecitase, while it reduced the stability of the covalent preparation. Modification with TNBS only improved enzyme stability of the covalent preparation at pH 9 (by a 10-fold factor).     

Statistical optimization of bacterial cellulose production by Leifsonia soli and its physico-chemical characterization

Bacterial cellulose has multiple applications in various industries such as food, biomedical, textile due to its uniqueness of being a better bio-compatible coating agent, binding material, etc. In this study, optimization of the culture medium for producing BC from Leifsonia soli was carried out by selecting different parameters. Five significant factors such as maltose, pH, incubation days, soy whey and calcium chloride were estimated through ANOVA based response surface methodology. Maximum cellulose production (5.97 g/L) was obtained where maltose 1 % (w/v) supplemented with 0.8 % (v/v) soy whey and calcium chloride 0.8 % (w/v) at pH 6.5 for 7 days of incubation. In addition, assurance of cellulose production from bacteria was done by using High-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Further, the structure and purity of obtained cellulose were examined by SEM and elemental analysis where it was observed that the sample holds the value of carbon 44.1 ± 0.20 % and hydrogen 6.2 ± 0.3 %, respectively. This study concludes that the addition of maltose and soy whey could be used as carbon, nitrogen sources and calcium chloride was used as an additive for the bacterial cellulose production compared to the Hestrin Schramm medium. In addition, the calculated water holding capacity of the sample was found to be 73 %.     

宏基因组来源耐Mn2+、热稳定细菌漆酶的分子克隆及酶学特性

【背景】漆酶和锰过氧化物酶(Manganese peroxidase,Mnp)是木质素降解的主要酶,二者有协同效应。Mnp活性依赖于Mn~(2+),而Mn~(2+)是大多数漆酶的抑制剂。【目的】获得耐Mn~(2+)的细菌漆酶用于木质素降解。【方法】构建许昌市某污水河污泥宏基因组文库,通过活性筛选获得细菌漆酶基因lac1542。使用大肠杆菌异源表达Lac1542,研究纯化后的重组蛋白酶学性质并进一步检测了含Lac1542复合酶系降解木质素能力。【结果】测序结果显示lac1542编码一个含513个氨基酸的蛋白。以ABTS为底物Lac1542最适反应pH为4.0,在pH 3.0-6.5范围内酶活性稳定。最适反应温度是75°C,在70°C以下酶活性稳定;100 mmol/L的Mn~(2+)仍能提高酶的活性。动力学参数研究发现,该酶的最适底物顺序为:ABTS丁香醛联氮儿茶酚2,6-DMP愈创木酚。Lac1542/Mnp复合酶系对木质素降解率为47.8%,比单独使用Mnp木质素降解率(22.4%)提高25.4%。Lac1542/Mnp/灰盖鬼伞过氧化物酶(Coprinus cinereus Peroxidase,CIP)复合酶系木质素降解高达71.5%,比Mnp/CIP酶系木质素降解率(48.9%)提高22.6%,加入Lac1542后的复合酶系能明显提高木质素的降解率。【结论】Lac1542的可溶性表达、耐受高浓度Mn~(2+)、热稳定性使得Lac1542可以替代一些经典的真菌漆酶应用于制浆、造纸、纤维素乙醇生产、染料脱色等工业。     

Poly(3-hydroxubutyrate-co-4-hydroxubutyrate)/bacterial cellulose composite porous scaffold: Preparation, characterization and biocompatibility evaluation

Bio-composite scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying using poly(3-hydroxubutyrate-co-4-hydroxubutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) and bacterial cellulose (BC) as raw materials and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as co-solvent. The characteristics of the composite scaffold were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), water contact angle measurement and tensile testing. Preliminary biodegradation test was performed for P(3HB-co-4HB) and P(3HB-co-4HB)/BC composite scaffold in buffer solution and enzyme solution. The biocompatibility of the composite scaffold was preliminarily evaluated by cell adhesion studies using Chinese Hamster Lung (CHL) fibroblast cells. The cells incubated with composite scaffold for 48 h were capable of forming cell adhesion and proliferation, which showed better biocompatibility than pure P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffold. Thus, the prepared P(3HB-co-4HB)/BC composite scaffold was bioactive and may be suitable for cell adhesion/attachment suggesting that these scaffolds can be used for wound dressing or tissue-engineering scaffolds.     

Strategies of enzyme immobilization on nanomatrix supports and their intracellular delivery

Abstract

Enzymes are one of the foundations and regulators for all major biological activities in living bodies. Hence, enormous efforts have been made for enhancing the efficiency of enzymes under different conditions. The use of nanomaterials as novel carriers for enzyme delivery and regulating the activities of enzymes has stimulated significant interests in the field of nano-biotechnology for biomedical applications. Since, all types of nanoparticles (NPs) offer large surface to volume ratios, the use of NPs as enzyme carriers affect the structure, performance, loading efficiency, and the reaction kinetics of enzymes. Hence, the immobilization of enzymes on nanomatrices can be used as a useful approach for direct delivery of therapeutic enzymes to the targeted sites. In other words, NPs can be used as advanced enzyme delivery nanocarriers. In this paper, we present an overview of different binding of enzymes to the nanomaterials as well as different types of nanomatrix supports for immobilization of enzymes. Afterwards, the enzyme immobilization on nanomaterials as a potential system for enzyme delivery has been discussed. Finally, the challenges associated with the enzyme delivery using nano matrices and their future perspective have been discussed.

Communicated by Ramasamy H. Sarma