4 research outputs found

    Transforming food waste: how immobilized enzymes can valorize waste streams into revenue streams

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    Food processing generates byproduct and waste streams rich in lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, which contribute to its negative environmental impact. However, these compounds hold significant economic potential if transformed into revenue streams such as biofuels and ingredients. Indeed, the high protein, sugar, and fat content of many food waste streams makes them ideal feedstocks for enzymatic valorization. Compared to synthetic catalysts, enzymes have higher specificity, lower energy requirement, and improved environmental sustainability in performing chemical transformations, yet their poor stability and recovery limits their performance in their native state. This review article surveys the current state-of-the-art in enzyme stabilization & immobilization technologies, summarizes opportunities in enzyme-catalyzed valorization of waste streams with emphasis on streams rich in mono- and disaccharides, polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins, and highlights challenges and opportunities in designing commercially translatable immobilized enzyme systems towards the ultimate goals of sustainable food production and reduced food waste

    Influence of Hierarchical Interfacial Assembly on Lipase Stability and Performance in Deep Eutectic Solvent

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    Hierarchical systems that integrate nano- and macroscale structural elements can offer enhanced enzyme stability over traditional immobilization methods. Microparticles were synthesized using interfacial assembly of lipase B from <i>Candida antarctica</i> with (CLMP-N) and without (CLMP) nanoparticles around a cross-linked polymeric core, to characterize the influence of the hierarchical assembly on lipase stability in extreme environments. Kinetic analysis revealed that the turnover rate (<i>k</i><sub>cat</sub>) significantly increased after immobilization. The macrostructure stabilized lipase at neutral and basic pH values, while the nanoparticles influenced stability under acidic pH conditions. Performance of CLMPs was demonstrated by production of sugar ester surfactants in a greener, deep eutectic solvent system (choline chloride and urea). Turnover rate (<i>k</i><sub>cat</sub>) and catalytic efficiency (<i>k</i><sub>cat</sub>/<i>K</i><sub>m</sub>) of the CLMPs decreased following solvent exposure but retained over 60% and 20% activity after 48 h storage at 50 and 60 °C, respectively. CLMP and CLMP-N outperformed the commercially available lipase per unit protein in the production of sugar esters. Improving enzyme performance in greener solvent systems via hierarchical assembly can improve processing efficiency and sustainability for the production of value-added agricultural products

    Integrating recognition elements with nanomaterials for bacteria sensing

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    Pathogenic bacterial contamination is a major threat to human health and safety. In this review, we summarize recent strategies for the integration of recognition elements with nanomaterials for the detection and sensing of pathogenic bacteria. Nanoprobes can provide sensitive and specific detection of bacterial cells, which can be applied across multiple applications and industries
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