Comparison between two processes for the enzymatic synthesis of tri-docosahexaenoylglycerol in a solvent-free medium

The enzymatic synthesis of homogeneous tri-docosahexaenoylglycerol from glycerol and ethyl docosahexaenoate in a solvent-free medium was achieved using Novozym SP 435 (immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica). Two processes were tested: a constant stirred tank reactor with N₂ bubbling through and a constant stirred tank reactor under vacuum. The first experimental apparatus was clearly found to be better than the other, giving 100% (w/w) conversion after 10 h.     

Novel magnetic microspheres of P (GMA-b-HEMA): preparation, lipase immobilization and enzymatic activity in two phases

Magnetic oleic-acid-coated Fe?O? nanoparticles were first introduced into 1, 1-diphenylethylene (DPE)-controlled radical polymerization system to prepare superparamagnetic microspheres for enzyme immobilization by two steps of polymerization. In the presence of DPE, glycidyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride with charge were selected as copolymering monomers based on their reactive functional group and excellent biocompatibility which were suitable for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The resulting magnetic microspheres were characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis SDS-PAGE analysis was also conducted to demonstrate whether CRL is covalently immobilized or only physically adsorbed. The results indicated that the polymerization was successfully carried out, and lipase was immobilized on the magnetic microspheres through ionic adsorption and covalent binding under mild conditions. The immobilized lipase exhibited high activity recovery (69.7%), better resistance to pH and temperature inactivation in aqueous phase, as well as superior reusability in nonaqueous phase. The data showed that the resulting carrier could hold an amphiphilic property.     

Kinetics of the enzymatic synthesis of benzylpenicillin

The kinetics of the enzymatic synthesis of benzylpenicillin catalysed by penicillin amidase (EC 3.5.1.11) from Escherichia coli have been studied. Both free phenylacetic acid (PAA) and its activated derivative, phenylacetylglycine (PAG), were used in the synthesis as acylating agents for 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). The catalytic rate constants for synthesis carried out at pH 6.0 were 11.2 and 25.2 s⁻¹, respectively, i.e. they are close and have high absolute values. The main feature of the enzymatic synthesis of benzylpenicillin from phenylacetylglycine, compared with the synthesis from phenylacetic acid, is the shape of the progress curve of antibiotic accumulation. In the former case, benzylpenicillin gradually accumulates until equilibrium is reached. Thus, if the reaction is carried out at the thermodynamically optimum pH of synthesis (low pH), penicillin can be obtained in high yield. In the case of phenylacetylglycine, the kinetic curves are more complex and are characterized by a clear-cut maximum. The presence of the maximum, its value and position on the time axis depend on reagent concentration and on the pH used. A kinetic scheme is proposed which describes well the experimental dependencies. The possibility of using activated acid derivatives in synthesis and the advantages of using computer calculations for process optimization are discussed.     

Two-step enzymatic synthesis of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine

UDP-GalNAc has been synthesised with high yield from GalNAc, UTP and ATP using recombinant human GalNAc kinase GK2 and UDP-GalNAc pyrophosphorylase AGX1. Both enzymes have been prepared in one step from 1 L cultures of transformed Escherichia coli and the UDP-GalNAc produced has been purified by a simple procedure. The method described is a rapid and efficient means to produce UDP-GalNAc as well as analogues like UDP-N-azidoacetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAz).