Anomerization and hydrolysis of lactose by beta-galactosidase from Saccharomyces lactis

Beta-Galactosidase from Saccharomyces lactis was found to be able to catalyze both the anomerization of alpha-lactose and the hydrolysis of beta-lactose; the rate of hydrolysis appeared to be four times higher with a 1:1 mixture of alpha and beta lactose than with a freshly prepared solution of alpha-lactose. The enzyme was also found to be unable to hydrolyze alpha-lactose. Thus, it appears that beta-galactosidase from S. lactis has its hydrolytic activity on lactose adapted only to the naturally more abundant beta-lactose.     

Ion exchange immobilization of changed beta-galactosidase fusions for lactose hydrolysis

The use of charged peptides fused to enzymes for immobilization onto ion-exchange membranes was explored for the enzyme x-galactosidase. The additional charged peptides, containing 1, 5, 11, and 16 aspartates, fused to x-galactosidase, for the most part did not interfere with the kinetic behavior for lactose hydrolysis. There was a 2-fold decline in V(m) for the 16-aspartate fusion, but the others were quite similar to the wild type enzyme (BGWT). BGWT and the fusions all retained approximately 50% of their activities when adsorbed onto ion-exchange membranes. In contrast to BGWT, the enhanced binding strength of the 11 aspartate fusion provided the ability to hydrolyze whey permeate at 0.3 M ionic strength without enzyme leakage, and to immobilize the enzyme directly from diluted cell extract with 83% purity. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic modeling of lactose hydrolysis with an immobilized beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis

The kinetic model of the hydrolysis of lactose with a beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis immobilized on a commercial silica-alumina (KA-3, from Südchemie) has been determined. A wide experimental range of the main variables has been employed: temperature, concentrations of substrate, and products and concentration of enzyme. The runs were performed in a complex buffer with the salt composition of milk. The effect of pH and temperature on the stability and the activity of the enzyme have been studied. The optimum pH for the enzyme activity was, approximately, seven. The immobilized enzyme was more stable than the free one at acidic pH, but more instable at basic pH. The maximum temperature used for the hydrolysis runs performed to select the kinetic model was 40 degrees C, so inactivation of the enzyme during the kinetic runs has been avoided. Agitation, concentration of enzyme in the solid and particle size were selected to ensure that the overall rate was that of the chemical reaction. Eleven kinetic models were proposed to fit experimental data, from first order to more complex ones, such as those taking into account inhibition by one of the compounds involved in the hydrolysis reaction. Applying statistical and physical criteria, a Michaelis-Menten model with a competitive inhibition by galactose has been selected. The model is able to fit the experimental data correctly in the wide experimental range studied. Finally, the model obtained is compared to the one selected in a previous work for the hydrolysis of lactose with the free enzyme.     

Production of galacto-oligosaccharides from lactose by Aspergillus oryzae beta-galactosidase immobilized on cotton cloth.

The production of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose by A. oryzae beta-galactosidase immobilized on cotton cloth was studied. The total amounts and types of GOS produced were mainly affected by the initial lactose concentration in the reaction media. In general, more and larger GOS can be produced with higher initial lactose concentrations. A maximum GOS production of 27% (w/w) of initial lactose was achieved at 50% lactose conversion with 500 g/L of initial lactose concentration. Tri-saccharides were the major types of GOS formed, accounting for more than 70% of the total GOS produced in the reactions. Temperature and pH affected the reaction rate, but did not result in any changes in GOS formation. The presence of galactose and glucose at the concentrations encountered near maximum GOS greatly inhibited the reactions and reduced GOS yield by as much as 15%. The cotton cloth as the support matrix for enzyme immobilization did not affect the GOS formation characteristics of the enzyme, suggesting no diffusion limitation in the enzyme carrier. The thermal stability of the enzyme increased approximately 25-fold upon immobilization on cotton cloth. The half-life for the immobilized enzyme on cotton cloth was more than 1 year at 40 degrees C and 48 days at 50 degrees C. Stable, continuous operation in a plugflow reactor was demonstrated for 2 weeks without any apparent problem. A maximum GOS production of 21 and 26% (w/w) of total sugars was attained with a feed solution containing 200 and 400 g/L of lactose, respectively, at pH 4.5 and 40 degrees C. The corresponding reactor productivities were 80 and 106 g/L/h, respectively, which are at least several-fold higher than those previously reported.     

The influence of temperature upon the hydrolysis of cellobiose by beta-1,4-glucosidases from Aspergillus niger

We have made experimental studies into the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellobiose within the temperature range of 40 degrees C to 70 degrees C at pH 4.9, by using beta-1,4-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger. At 70 degrees C there was significant enzyme deactivation, which could be fitted to a potential deactivation model with values of n equal to 1.09 and k(d) to 0.1564 (g/l)(-0.09) min(-1), whereas the rate of hydrolysis could be fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation. Between 40 degrees C and 60 degrees C we noted a substrate inhibition and that the CEC compound formed contributed to glucose production. The apparent activation energies had values of 4.66, 8.45, 4.82, and 3.99 kJ/mol for the kinetic constants k(a) and k(a2) the Michaelis constant and the substrate inhibition constant, respectively.     

Medium optimization and kinetic modeling for the production of Aspergillus niger inulinase

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - The goals of this study were to optimize the medium formulation for enhanced production of Aspergillus niger inulinase using Plackett–Burman Design...     

Effects of temperature on lactose hydrolysis by immobilized beta-galactosidase in plug-flow reactor

The hydrolysis of lactose using immobilized beta-galactosidase (from Aspergillus niger) on phenol-formaldehyde resin was studied at temperatures between 8 and 60 degrees C and initial lactose concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 20.0%. A model involving enzyme-galactose complex similar to Michaelis-Menten kinetics with competitive product (galactose) inhibition is suitable to describe the lactose hydrolysis reaction. A small degree of lack of fit between the model and the data was found to be due to the formation of oligosaccharides. Thermal deactivation of lactase follows first-order reaction mechanism. The effect of temperature on the reaction and the deactivation rate constants follows the Arrhenius relationship. The Oligosaccharide formation was not significantly affected by the temperature when the initial lactose concentration was 5%. A design equation for the plug-flow immobilized lactase reactor was developed from the reaction and the deactivation kinetics and was used to find the optimal operating temperature. The optimal temperature was found to be dependent on the operating time but not on the lactose concentration or the conversion. The optimal operating temperature is 60 degrees C when operating time is short but is close to 35 degrees C for a long operating time. A preliminary economic analysis indicates that the optimal operating temperature is 43, 38.5, and 33 degrees C when the operating time is 300 days, 1000 days, and infinity, respectively.     

Characterization of a novel endopolygalacturonase from Aspergillus niger with unique kinetic properties

We isolated and characterized a new type of endopolygalacturonase (PG)-encoding gene, pgaD, from Aspergillus niger. The primary structure of PGD differs from that of other A. niger PGs by a 136 amino acid residues long N-terminal extension. Biochemical analysis demonstrated extreme processive behavior of the enzyme on oligomers longer than five galacturonate units. Furthermore, PGD is the only A. niger PG capable of hydrolyzing di-galacturonate. It is tentatively concluded that the enzyme is composed of four subsites. The physiological role of PGD is discussed.     

Formation of galacto-oligosaccharides during lactose hydrolysis by a novel beta-galactosidase from the moderately thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus

Discontinuous and continuous processes of lactose hydrolysis and concomitant galacto-oligosaccharide (GalOS) formation were studied. To this end a wide experimental range of the main variables was evaluated, including the initial lactose concentration, the degree of lactose conversion, the pH value and the temperature for discontinuous transformations, while the initial lactose concentration and the feed rate were varied for the continuous process. For both processes a high-initial lactose concentration proved to be advantageous for the formation of GalOS. The maximum amount of GalOS (100 g/L, corresponding to a yield of approximately 50% based on the initially employed lactose) was obtained after 8 h of incubation when using 200 g/L lactose as substrate and 90% lactose hydrolysis was observed. GalOS productivity in the continuous process (g/L.h) was enhanced by an increase of the flow rate. The maximum GalOS productivity of 70 g/L.h was obtained at a flow rate of 24 mL/h when using a reactor with a total working volume of 21 mL. As was evident from these experiments, this beta-galactosidase from a moderately thermophilic fungus showed a strong transgalactosylation activity and can be used for the formation of GalOS, sugars that are of considerable interest for functional food applications because of their presumed healthpromoting effects.     

A new kinetic model of recombinant beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis for both hydrolysis and transgalactosylation reactions

Previous models based on the Michaelis-Menten kinetic equation, that glucose was not used as an acceptor, did not explain our experimental data for lactose conversion by a recombinant beta-galactosidase from Kluyeromyces lactis. In order to create a new kinetic model based on the data, the effects of galactose and glucose on beta-galactosidase activity were investigated. Galactose acted as an inhibitor at low concentrations of galactose and lactose, but did not inhibit the activity of beta-galactosidase at high concentrations of galactose (above 50mM) and lactose (above 100mM). The addition of glucose at concentrations below 50mM resulted in an increased reaction rate. A new model of K. lactis beta-galactosidase for both hydrolysis and transgalactosylation reactions with glucose and lactose as acceptors was proposed. The proposed model was fitted well to the experimental data of the time-course reactions for lactose conversion by K. lactis beta-galactosidase at various concentrations of substrate.     

Enantioselective hydrolysis of p-nitrostyrene oxide by an epoxide hydrolase preparation from Aspergillus niger

The epoxide hydrolase activity of Aspergillus niger was synthesized during growth of the fungus and was shown to be associated with the soluble cell fraction. An enzyme preparation was worked out which could be used in place of the whole mycelium as biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of epoxides. The effect of four different cosolvents on enzyme activity was investigated. Consequently, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was selected for epoxide solubilization. The effect of temperature on both reaction rate and enzyme stability was studied in the presence of DMSO (0.2 volume ratio). A temperature of 25 degrees C was selected for the reaction of bioconversion. With a substrate concentration of 4.5 mM a batch reactor showed that the enzyme preparation hydrolyzed para-nitrostyrene oxide with very high enantioselectivity. The (S) enantiomer of the epoxide remained in the reaction mixture and showed an enantiomeric excess higher than 99%. The substrate concentration could be increased to 20 mM without affecting the enantiomeric excess and degree of conversion. Therefore, the method is potentially useful for the preparative resolution of epoxides. Application are in the field of chiral synthons which are important building blocks in organic synthesis. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Carboxyl group modification significantly altered the kinetic properties of purified carboxymethylcellulase from Aspergillus niger

Carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) from Aspergillus niger NIAB280 was purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction and gel filtration chromatography on FPLC with 9-folds increase in specific activity. Native and subunit molecular weights were found to be 36 kDa each. The purified CMCase was modified by 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) in the presence of glycinamide for 15 min (GAM15) and glycinamide plus cellobiose for 75 min (GAM75). Similarly, the enzyme was modified by EDC in the presence of ethylenediamine dihydrochloride plus cellobiose for 75 min (EDAM75). The neutralization (GAM15 and GAM75) and reversal (EDAM75) of negative charges of carboxyl groups of CMCase had profound effect on the specificity constant (k(cat)/K(m)), pH optima, pK(a)'s of the active-site residues and thermodynamic parameters of activation. The specificity constants of native, GAM15, GAM75, and EDAM75 were 143, 340, 804, and 48, respectively. The enthalpy of activation (DeltaH(#)) of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrolysis of native (50 and 15 kJ mol(-1)) and GAM15 (41 and 16 kJ mol(-1)) were biphasic whereas those of GAM75 (43 kJ mol(-1)) and EDAM75 (41 k J mol(-1)) were monophasic. Similarly, the entropy of activation (DeltaS(#)) of CMC hydrolysis of native (-61 and -173 J mol(-1) K(-1)) and GAM15 (-91 and -171 J mol(-1) K(-1)) were biphasic whereas those of GAM75 (-82 J mol(-1) K(-1)) and EDAM75 (-106 J mol(-1) K(-1)) were monophasic. The pH optima/pK(a)'s of both acidic and basic limbs of charge neutralized CMCases increased compared with those of native enzyme. The CMCase modification in the presence of glycinamide and absence of cellobiose at different pH's periodically activated and inhibited the enzyme activity indicating conformational changes. We believe that the alteration of the surface charges resulted in gross movement of loops that surround the catalytic pocket, thereby inducing changes in the vicinity of active site residues with concomitant alteration in kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the modified CMCases.     

Kinetics of lactose hydrolysis by beta-galactosidase of Kluyveromyces lactis immobilized on cotton fabric

A mathematic model for describing the Michaelis-Menten-type reaction kinetics with product competitive inhibition and side-reaction is proposed. A multiresponse nonlinear simulation program was employed to determine the coefficients of a four-parameter rate expression. The rate expression was compared with the conventional Michaelis-Menten reaction rate models with and without product inhibition. Experimental data were obtained using beta-galactosidase of Kluyveromyces lactis immobilized on cotton fabric in a batch system at a temperature of 37 degrees C and at various initial concentrations of dissolved lactose ranging from 3-12.5% (w/v). The reaction is followed by concentration changes with time in the tank. Samples were obtained after the outlet stream of the packed bed reactor is mixed in a well-stirred tank. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to monitor the concentrations of all the sugars (reactants as well as products). The four-parameter rate model is featured with a term to describe the formation of trisaccharides, a side-reaction of the enzymatic hydrolysis. The proposed model simulates the process of lactose hydrolysis and the formation of glucose and galactose, giving better accuracy compared with the previous models.     

Kinetics of cellobiose hydrolysis using cellobiase composites from Ttrichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose involves the formation of cellobiose as an intermediate. It has been found necessary(1) to add cellobiase from Aspergillus niger (NOVO) to the cellobiase component of Trichoderma reesei mutant Rut C-30 (Natick) cellulase enzymes in order to obtain after 48 h complete conversion of the cellobiose formed in the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass. This study of the cellobiase activity of these two enzyme sources was undertaken as a first step in the formation of a kinetic model for cellulose hydrolysis that can be used in process design. In order to cover the full range of cellobiose concentrations, it was necessary to develop separate kinetic parameters for high- and low-concentration ranges of cellobiose for the enzymes from each organism. Competitive glucose inhibition was observed with the enzymes from both organisms. Substrate inhibition was observed only with the A. niger enzymes.     

Some kinetic studies on cytidine aminohydrolase activity from Aspergillus niger NRRL3.

Cell free extract of nitrate-grown Aspergillus niger NRRL3 catalyzed the hydrolytic deamination of cytidine out of the tested bases, their nucleosides and nucleotides to uridine maximally at pH 7 and at 50 degrees C. The deaminating activity seems to be specific for cytidine, as the extracts could not deaminate AMP, GMP, CMP, adenosine, guanosine, adenine, guanine, and cytosine. Maximum activity of cytidine deaminase was achieved in Tris-HCl buffer at concentration of 0.15 M. Incubation of the extracts at 70 degrees C for 30 minutes in absence of cytidine caused about 70% loss in its activity, while dialysis, freezing and thawing has no effect on the activity. Results indicated the absence of the involvement of SH group(s) in the catalytic site of cytidine deaminase. Uridine competitively inhibited the enzyme activity, while ammonia had no effect. The apparent K(m) value of this enzyme for cytidine was 2.6 x 10(-3) and the Ki value for uridine was 10.06 x 10(-3).     

Cellulase Enzyme from Aspergillus niger

Cellulase enzyme was produced by a selected strain of Aspergillus niger isolated from deteriorated wood and grown on different carbon sources. Filter paper gave the highest yield, followed by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Cellobiose as well as glucose gave a low yield, while the yield from lactose was negligible. The concentration of filter paper cellulose that induced the maximum yield of the enzyme was 1%. Both soluble cellulose (CMC) and cotton cellulose treated with phosphoric acid (swollen) were easily hydrolyzed by cellulase; an increase in cellulase concentration lead to more hydrolysis of CMC and gave linearity in the reaction velocity. At certain concentrations of the enzyme, increase in CMC concentration, (up to 1%) resulted in more reducing sugar. Beyond this point no more hydrolysis occur.     

Effects of temperature on the hydrolysis of lactose by immobilized beta-galactosidase in a capillary bed reactor

The effects of temperature on the hydrolysis of lactose by immobilized beta-galactosidase were studied in a continuous flow capillary bed reactor. Temperature affects the rates of enzymatic reactions in two ways. Higher temperatures increase the rate of the hydrolysis reaction, but also increase the rate of thermal deactivation of the enzyme. The effect of temperature on the kinetic parameters was studied by performing lactose hydrolysis experiments at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 degrees C. The kinetic parameters were observed to follow an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence. Galactose mutarotation has a significant impact on the overall rate of lactose hydrolysis. The temperature dependence of the mutarotation of galactose was effectively modelled by first-order reversible kinetics. The thermal deactivation characteristics of the immobilized enzyme reactor were investigated by performing lactose hydrolysis experiments at 52, 56, 60, and 64 degrees C. The thermal deactivation was modelled effectively as a first order decay process. Based on the estimated thermal deactivation rate constants, at an operating temperature of 40 degrees C, 10% of the enzyme activity would be lost in one year.