Use of an oxygen microsensor for the determination of intrinsic kinetic parameters of an immobilized oxygen reducing enzyme

An oxygen microsensor was used to measure internal oxygen profiles in biocatalyst particles of different diameter and activity. The particles were made of agarose gel and contained an oxygen reducing enzyme, L-lactate mono-oxygenase. The kinetics of the enzyme could be well described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. From the internal substrate concentration profile the intrinsic kinetic parameters were determined by means of fitting a simulated profile to the measurements, using Marquardt's algorithm. The intrinsic kinetic parameters found following this procedure appeared to be independent of particle radius or enzyme loading used, proving the method to be reliable. These parameters were also compared with the kinetic parameters of the free enzyme which were determined in a biological oxygen monitoring system. The intrinsic kinetic parameters showed a decrease with a factor 2.3 for V(m) value and with a factor 2.7 for the K(m) value compared to the parameters for the free enzyme. From this the conclusion can be drawn that the immobilization as such or the carrier material not only can have an effect on the maximum intrinsic conversion rate (V(m)) but also on the affinity of the enzyme (K(m)) for oxygen.     

Testing for diffusion limitations in salt-activated enzyme catalysts operating in organic solvents

The dramatic activation of serine proteases in nonaqueous media resulting from lyophilization in the presence of KCl is shown to be unrelated to relaxation of potential substrate diffusional limitations. Specifically, lyophilizing subtilisin Carlsberg in the presence of KCl and phosphate buffer in different proportions, ranging from 99% (w/w) enzyme to 1% (w/w) enzyme in the final lyophilized solids, resulted in biocatalyst preparations that were not influenced by substrate diffusion. This result was made evident through use of a classical analysis whereby initial catalytic rates, normalized per weight of total enzyme in the catalyst material, were measured as a function of active enzyme for biocatalyst preparations containing different ratios of active to inactive enzyme. The active enzyme content of a given biocatalyst preparation was controlled by mixing native subtilisin with subtilisin preinactivated with PMSF, a serine protease inhibitor, and lyophilizing the enzyme mixture in the presence of different fractions of KCl and phosphate buffer. Plots of initial reaction rates as a function of percent active subtilisin in the biocatalyst were linear for all biocatalyst preparations. Thus, enzyme activation (reported elsewhere to be as high as 3750-fold in hexane for the transesterification of N-Ac-L-Phe-OEt with n-PrOH) is a manifestation of intrinsic enzyme activation and not relaxation of diffusional limitations resulting from diluted enzyme preparations. Similar activation is reported herein for thermolysin, a nonserine protease, thereby demonstrating that enzyme activation due to lyophilization in the presence of KCl may be a general phenomenon for proteolytic enzymes.     

Optimized butyl butyrate synthesis catalyzed by Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase

Butyl butyrate is an ester present in pineapple flavor, which is very important for the food and beverages industries. In this work, the optimization of the reaction of butyl butyrate synthesis catalyzed by the immobilized lipase Lipozyme TL‐IM was performed. n‐Hexane was selected as the most appropriate solvent. Other reaction parameters such as temperature, substrate molar ratio, biocatalyst content and added water, and their responses measured as yield, were evaluated using a fractional factorial design, followed by a central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology. In the fractional design 2^4–1, the four variables were tested and temperature and biocatalyst content were statistically significant and then used for optimization on CCD. The optimal conditions for butyl butyrate synthesis were found to be 48°C; substrate molar ratio 3:1 (butanol:butyric acid); biocatalyst content of 40% of acid mass. Under these conditions, over 90% of yield was obtained in 2 h. Enzyme reuse was tested by washing the biocatalyst with n‐hexane or by direct reuse. The direct reuse produced a rapid decrease on enzyme activity, while washing with n‐hexane allowed reusing the enzyme for five reactions cycles keeping approximately 85% of its activity. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1416–1421, 2013     

Rigorous model for spherical cell-support aggregate

The activity of immobilized cell-support particle aggregates is influenced by physical and biochemical elements, mass transfer, and physiology. Accordingly, the mathematical model discussed in this study is capable of predicting the steady state and transient concentration profiles of the cell mass and substrate, plus the effects of the substrate and product inhibition in an immobilized cell-support aggregate. The overall mathematical model is comprised of material balance equations for the cell mass, major carbon source, dissolved oxygen, and non-biomass products in a bulk suspension along with a single particle model. A smaller bead size and higher substrate concentration at the surface of the particle, resulted in a higher supply of the substrate into the aggregate and consequently a higher biocatalyst activity.     

Gas sensing in microplates with optodes: influence of oxygen exchange between sample, air, and plate material

Microplates with integrated optical oxygen sensors are a new tool to study metabolic rates and enzyme activities. Precise measurements are possible only if oxygen exchange between the sample and the environment is known. In this study we quantify gas exchange in plastic microplates. Dissolved oxygen was detected using either an oxygen-sensitive film fixed at the bottom of each well or a needle-type sensor. The diffusion of oxygen into wells sealed with different foils, paraffin oil, and paraffin wax, respectively, was quantified. Although foil covers showed the lowest oxygen permeability, they include an inevitable gas phase between sample and sealing and are difficult to manage. The use of oil was found to be critical due to the extensive shaking caused by movement of the plates during measurements in microplate readers. Thus, paraffin wax was the choice material because it avoids convection of the sample and is easy to handle. Furthermore, without shaking, significant gradients in pO2 levels within a single well of a polystyrene microplate covered with paraffin oil were detected with the needle-type sensor. Higher pO2 levels were obtained near the surface of the sample as well as near the wall of the well. A significant diffusion of oxygen through the plastic plate material was found using plates based on polystyrene. Thus, the location of a sensor element within the well has an effect on the measured pO2 level. Using a sensor film fixed on the bottom of a well or using a dissolved pO2-sensitive indicator results in pO2 offset and in apparently lower respiration rates or enzyme activities. Oxygen diffusion through a polystyrene microplate was simulated for measurements without convection--that is, for samples without oxygen diffusion through the cover and for unshaken measurements using permeable sealings. This mathematical model allows for calculation of the correct kinetic parameters.     

Determination of growth and coupled nitrification/denitrification by immobilized Thiosphaera pantotropha using measurement and modeling of oxygen profiles

An oxygen microsensor in combination with mathematical modeling was used to determine the behavior of immobilized Thiosphaera pantotropha. This organism can convert ammonia completely to nitrogen gas under aerobic conditions (coupled nitrification/denitrification) and denitrifies nitrate at highest rates under anaerobic conditions. Immobilization of T. pantotropha can result in aerobic and anaerobic zones inside the biocatalyst particle which will be advantageous for the conversion of ammonia and nitrate from wastewater. However, information of the effects of immobilization on the physiology of T. pantotropha is necessary for the development of such a system. This article gives the extension of a model developed to describe the behavior of chemostat cultures of T. pantotropha so that it can be used for immobilized cells. The original model was based on metabolic reaction equations. Kinetic and diffusion equations have now been added. Experimental verification was carried out using a stirred tank reactor and a Kluyver flask. After immobilization in agarose, the cells were grown in the particles under continuous culture conditions for 3 days. After 24 h the oxygen penetration depth showed a constant value of 100 mu, indicating that a steady state was reached. Scanning electron micrographs showed that large colonies of cells were present in this 100-mum aerobic layer.From the dynamics of the start-up phase, several parameters were determined from measurements of the oxygen concentration profiles made every few hours. The profiles simulated by the model were fitted to the measured data. The average value for the maximum specific growth rate was 0.52 h(-1), and the maximum oxygen conversion rate was 1.0 mol Cmol(-1) h(-1). The maximum specific acetate uptake rate was 2.0 mol Cmol(-1) h(-1), and the Monod constant for acetate was 2.9 x 10(-2) mol m(-3). The maximum specific nitrification rate was 0.58 x 10(-1) mol Cmol(-1) h(-1), and the amount of oxygen necessary for nitrification was 11% of the total oxygen uptake rate. Most of the kinetic parameters determined for the immobilized cells were in good agreement with those for the suspended cells. Only the maximum specific growth rate was significantly higher, and the maximum specific nitrification rate was some what lower than for suspended cells. The experimental results clearly show that an oxygen microsensor, in combination with mathematical modeling, can successfully be used to elucidate the kinetic behavior of immobilized, oxygen-consuming, cells.     

Succinic acid fermentation in a stationary-basket bioreactor with a packed bed of immobilized Actinobacillus succinogenes: 1. Influence of internal diffusion on substrate mass transfer and consumption rate

This paper is dedicated to the study on external and internal mass transfers of glucose for succinic fermentation under substrate and product inhibitions using a bioreactor with a stationary basket bed of immobilized Actinobacillus succinogenes cells. By means of the substrate mass balance for a single particle of biocatalysts, considering the Jerusalimsky kinetic model including both inhibitory effects, specific mathematical expressions have been developed for describing the profiles of the substrate concentrations and mass flows in the outer and inner regions of biocatalyst particles, as well as for estimating the influence of internal diffusion on glucose consumption rate. The results indicated that very low values of internal mass flow could be reached in the particles center. The corresponding region was considered biologically inactive, with its extent varying from 0.24% to 44% from the overall volume of each biocatalyst. By immobilization of bacterial cells and use of a basket bed, the rate of glucose consumption is reduced up to 200 times compared with the succinic fermentation system containing free cells.     

Effect of Solvents and Surfactants on the Catalytic Activity of Trigonopsis Variabilis

D-Amino acid oxidase present in the cells of Trigonopsis variabilis became accessible to cephalosporin C, its substrate, when treated with either butyl acetate or Triton-X-100. The enzyme was not leached out enabling use of these cells as a biocatalyst.     

Integrated organic–aqueous biocatalysis and product recovery for quinaldine hydroxylation catalyzed by living recombinant Pseudomonas putida

In an earlier study, biocatalytic carbon oxyfunctionalization with water serving as oxygen donor, e.g., the bioconversion of quinaldine to 4-hydroxyquinaldine, was successfully achieved using resting cells of recombinant Pseudomonas putida, containing the molybdenum-enzyme quinaldine 4-oxidase, in a two-liquid phase (2LP) system (ütkür et al. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 38:1067-1077, 2011). In the study reported here, key parameters determining process performance were investigated and an efficient and easy method for product recovery was established. The performance of the whole-cell biocatalyst was shown not to be limited by the availability of the inducer benzoate (also serving as growth substrate) during the growth of recombinant P. putida cells. Furthermore, catalyst performance during 2LP biotransformations was not limited by the availability of glucose, the energy source to maintain metabolic activity in resting cells, and molecular oxygen, a possible final electron acceptor during quinaldine oxidation. The product and the organic solvent (1-dodecanol) were identified as the most critical factors affecting biocatalyst performance, to a large extent on the enzyme level (inhibition), whereas substrate effects were negligible. However, none of the 13 alternative solvents tested surpassed 1-dodecanol in terms of toxicity, substrate/product solubility, and partitioning. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide for phase separation and an easy and efficient liquid-liquid extraction step enabled 4-hydroxyquinaldine to be isolated at a purity of >99.9% with recoveries of 57 and 84%, respectively. This study constitutes the first proof of concept on an integrated process for the oxyfunctionalization of toxic substrates with a water-incorporating hydroxylase.     

Partial reactions of bacterial D-amino acid transaminase with asparagine substituted for the lysine that binds coenzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.

In bacterial D-amino acid transaminase (EC 2.6.1.21) replacement of Lys-145, which is covalently linked to the coenzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in the wild-type enzyme, by an Asn residue gave a mutant enzyme (K145N) that slowly performed each half-reaction, as determined by spectral measurements. With the wild-type enzyme, the kinetics of these events were so rapid that pre-steady-state conditions were needed for their determination. The internal aldimine between coenzyme and Lys-145 was rapidly reduced with NaCNBH3 in the wild-type enzyme, whereas in the mutant enzyme the coenzyme, which is not covalently linked to the protein, was more resistant to reduction; the reduced forms of both wild-type and mutant enzymes were inactive. With large amounts of the K145N mutant enzyme and either amino acid or keto acid substrate alone, the formation of some reaction intermediates, i.e., the external aldimine with D-alanine and the ketimine with alpha-ketoglutarate, can be measured by conventional spectroscopy. Suicide substrates also induced slow spectral shifts of the E-PLP form of the enzyme. For the K145N enzyme, exogenous amines affected only the rate of the transaldimination but not the removal of the alpha-proton of the substrate. These results suggest that in the mutant enzyme some amino acid side chain other than Lys-145 performs this function. In order to identify this site, the K145N mutant enzyme was completely inactivated by the radiolabeled suicide substrate D-serine. Peptide mapping of tryptic digests showed that Lys-267 was the modified site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immobilized cells of recombinant Escherichia coli strain for continuous production of L-aspartic acid

For L-aspartic acid biosynthesis, high production cells of Escherichia coli mutant B-715 and P1 were immobilized in chitosan gel using a technique developed in our laboratory. The immobilization process reduced initial activity of the intact cells, however, the biocatalyst produced was very stabile for long-term use in multi-repeated batch or continuous processes. Temperature influence on the conversion of ammonium fumarate to L-aspartic acid was investigated. In long-term experiments, over 603 hours, the temperature 40 degrees C was found to be the best for both biocatalyst stability and high conversion rate. The optimum substrate concentration was 1.0 M. Continuous production of L-aspartic acid was investigated in three types of column bioreactors characterized by different volumes as well as different high to biocatalyst bed volume rations (Hz/Vz). The highest conversion rate, 99.8%, and the productivity 6 g/g/h (mass of L-aspartic acid per dry mass of cells in biocatalyst per time unit) was achieved in the bioreactor with the highest value Hz/Vz = 3.1, and liquid hour space velocity value of 5.2, defined as the volume of feeding substrate passed per volume of catalyst in bioreactor per one hour.     

Polygalacturonic acid/endo-polygalacturonase system: a kinetic study in batch reactors

The enzymatic depolymerization of the pectic substance polygalacturonic acid (PGA) is studied in batch reactor. The number-average molecular weight of native substrate is estimated, using a simple and quick technique, to be approximately 11.1 kDa, the polymeric chains consisting on average of 63 galacturonic acid units. The effect of enzyme concentration was studied varying biocatalyst loading from 6 to 242 mg/L. The experiments were repeated at substrate concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5 g/L. Data obtained at both short reaction time (20 min) and prolonged enzyme action (up to 350 min) are correlated using different kinetic equations, and the parameter values are discussed.     

Process implementation aspects for biocatalytic hydrocarbon oxyfunctionalization

Oxidoreductases catalyze a large variety of regio-, stereo-, and chemoselective hydrocarbon oxyfunctionalizations, reactions, which are important in industrial organic synthesis but difficult to achieve by chemical means. This review summarizes process implementation aspects for the in vivo application of the especially versatile enzyme class of oxygenases, capable of specifically introducing oxygen from molecular oxygen into a large range of organic molecules. Critical issues such as reaching high enzyme activity and specificity, product degradation, cofactor recycling, reactant toxicity, and substrate and oxygen mass transfer can be overcome by biochemical process engineering and biocatalyst engineering. Both strategies provide a growing toolset to facilitate process implementation, optimization, and scale-up. Major advances were achieved via heterologous overexpression of oxygenase genes, directed evolution, metabolic engineering, and in situ product removal. Process examples from industry and academia show that the combined use of different concepts enables efficient oxygenase-based whole-cell catalysis of various commercially interesting reactions such as the biosynthesis of chiral compounds, the specific oxyfunctionalization of complex molecules, and also the synthesis of medium-priced chemicals. Better understanding of the cell metabolism and future developments in both biocatalyst and bioprocess engineering are expected to promote the implementation of many and various industrial biooxidation processes.     

The effects of oxygen concentration on neuraminidase production by type III group B streptococci

Neuraminidase production has been found to vary among individual strains of type III group B streptococci (GBS). The production of neuraminidase has been shown to be affected by different environmental factors. In this study, oxygen concentration was found to influence the amount of enzyme produced. The effect of oxygen on enzyme production was examined in a highneuraminidase-producing strain and a low-neuraminidase-producing strain. With the batch culture technique, the following trend of neuraminidase production was observed: Maximum enzyme production occurred at oxygen concentrations of 5% and 10%, intermediate production occurred at 0%, and lowest production occurred at 15% and 20%. Continuous culture technique confirmed these findings at 5% and 15% oxygen concentrations. Since neuraminidase is believed to be a virulence factor in GBS syndrome in neonates, it is possible that maximum enzyme production may occur at oxygen levels similar to those found in neonatal blood.     

Functional and structural analysis of catalase oxidized by singlet oxygen

Purified catalase-1 (CAT-1) from Neurospora crassa asexual spores is oxidized by singlet oxygen giving rise to active enzyme forms with different electrophoretic mobility. These enzyme forms are detected in vivo under stress conditions and during development at the start of the asexual morphogenetic transitions. CAT-1 heme b is oxidized to heme d by singlet oxygen. Here, we describe functional and structural comparisons of the non-oxidized enzyme with the fully oxidized one. Using a broad H(2)O(2) concentration range (0.01-3.0 M), non-hyperbolic saturation kinetics was found in both enzymes, indicating that kinetic complexity does not arise from heme oxidation. The kinetics was consistent with the existence of two kinds of active sites differing more than 10-times in substrate affinity. Positive cooperativity for one or both of the saturation curves is possible. Kinetic constants obtained at 22 degrees C varied slightly and apparent activation energies for the reaction of both components are not significantly different. Protein fluorescence and circular dicroism of the two enzymes were nearly identical, indicating no gross conformational change with oxidation. Increased sensitivity to inhibition by cyanide indicated a local change at the active site in the oxidized catalase. Oxidized catalase was less resistant to high temperatures, high guanidinium ion concentration, and digestion with subtilisin. It was also less stable than the non-oxidized enzyme at an acid pH. The overall data show that the oxidized enzyme is structurally different from the non-oxidized one, although it conserves most of the remarkable stability and catalytic efficiency of the non-oxidized enzyme. Because the enzyme in the cell can be oxidized under physiological conditions, preservation of functional and structural properties of catalase could have been selected through evolution to assure an active enzyme under oxidative stress conditions.     

Optimization of methyl propionate production catalysed by Mucor miehei lipase

Lipase from Mucor miehei was used to catalyse the esterification reaction between propionic acid and methyl alcohol in modified organic media. Small-scale model studies were performed in order to define the optimal conditions. The specific activity of immobilized lipase, adsorbed onto hydrophilic supports, compared to free lipase, showed that enzyme activity was altered by immobilisation. Non-polar solvents were shown to be less harmful for the biocatalyst than solvents with higher polarity. Diethyl ether was used as the cosolvent of hexane to improve the solubility of substrates in the organic phase thus increasing contact with enzyme. An optimal ratio of 90/10 (v/v) was determined for a hexane/diethyl ether mixture. The mass of enzyme preparation must be high enough to display optimal diffusion of the reagents and hydration of the catalytic sites. Increased substrate concentrations were stimulatory up to a point after which inhibition and enzyme destabilisation, in repeated runs, occurred. Water saturation of the organic medium greatly lowered the biosynthetic activity of the enzyme. It was possible to reach a 96% methyl propionate biosynthesis yield after 2.30 h reaction, underlining the free-enzyme operational capacity in a quasi-anhydrous modified organic medium.     

Use of an oxygen gas diffusion cathode and a three-dimensional packed bed anode in a bioelectrochemical fuel cell

Summary An oxygen gas diffusion electrode was successfully used as a cathode in a bioelectro-chemical fuel cell with 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone as redox-mediator and Escherichia coli as biocatalyst. On addition of bacteria to the anode compartment of the fuel cell a rapid increase in the electricity output was observed. With the use of a three-dimensional packed bed anode the electricity output of the cell could be considerably increased.     

Preparative scale Baeyer-Villiger biooxidation at high concentration using recombinant Escherichia coli and in situ substrate feeding and product removal process

An efficient biocatalytic process based on the use of adsorbent resin (in situ substrate feeding and product removal) makes experiments at high substrate concentration possible by overcoming limitations due to substrate and product inhibition. This process was successfully applied to the preparative scale Baeyer-Villiger biooxidation of (-)-(1S,5R)-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one (25 g). Whole cells of recombinant E. coli (1 liter) overexpressing cyclohexanone monooxygenase were used as a biocatalyst and the substrate was preloaded onto the adsorbent resin. The corresponding lactone was obtained in 75-80% yield. Time for cell growth and biotransformation is about 24 h each and oxygen supply can be improved by using a tailor-made bubble column.     

Preparation of L-aspartic acid by means of immobilized Alcaligenes metalcaligenes cells

Two types of biocatalysts based on immobilized cells of Alcaligenes metalcaligenes exhibiting aspartate ammonia-lyase activity (EC 4.3.1.1) were developed for the enzymic preparation of L-aspartic acid from ammonium fumarate. The first type of the biocatalyst consists in individual covalently crosslinked and permeabilized cells(I), while the second type is represented by cell aggregates (II). For the above preparation, biocatalyst I can be used only discontinuously in a mixed reactor. After termination of the reaction between individual cycles of its use, the biocatalyst is returned to the reactor in the form of a highly concentrated cell suspension or paste. Biocatalyst II can be used discontinuously or continuously in a fixed-bed column of the catalyst. The effects of pH, substrate concentration and temperature on the reaction velocity and effectivity of enzymic conversion was investigated. Optimal parameters of the reaction are as follows: pH 8.5, initial substrate concentration, 1.35 mol/L, temperature for discontinuous process, 37 degrees C, and temperature for continuous process, 25 degrees C. Under these conditions the enzymic conversion of substrate to product is quantitative. Under optimal toring conditions, the specific activity of both catalysts does not change within a period of one year. The operational half-life of the biocatalyst II during continuous use in a fixed-bed column of the catalyst under standard reaction conditions depends on the quality of the substrate. The discontinuous preparation of L-asparatic acid with the aid of biocatalyst I and continuous preparation of this product with the aid of biocatalyst II have been verified under pilot-plant conditions.