Lipase-catalyzed Reactions at Interfaces of Two-phase Systems and Microemulsions

This work describes the influence of two polar lipids, Sn-1/3 and Sn-2 monopalmitin, on the activity of lipase in biphasic systems and in microemulsions. In previous communications, we have shown that Sn-2 monoglycerides can replace Sn-1,3 regiospecific lipases at the oil–water interface, causing a drastically reduced rate of lipolysis. We here demonstrate that even if the lipase is expelled from the interface, it can catalyze esterification of the Sn-2 monoglyceride with fatty acids in both macroscopic oil–water systems and in microemulsions, leading to formation of di- and triglycerides

Customizing lipases for biocatalysis: a survey of chemical, physical and molecular biological approaches

Contact: [email protected] audienceLipases (triacylglycerol ester hydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of fats and oils with subsequent release of free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, monoglycerols and glycerol. Besides this, they are also efficient in various reactions such as esterification, transesterification and aminolysis in organic solvents. Therefore, those enzymes are nowadays extensively studied for their potential industrial applications. Examples in the literature are numerous concerning their use in different fields such as resolution of racemic mixtures, synthesis of new surfactants and pharmaceuticals, oils and fats bioconversion and detergency applications. However, the drawbacks of the extensive use of lipases (and biocatalysts in general) compared to classical chemical catalysts can be found in the relatively low stability of enzyme in their native state as well as their prohibitive cost. Consequently, there is a great interest in methods trying to develop competitive biocatalysts for industrial applications by improvement of their catalytic properties such as activity, stability (pH or temperature range) or recycling capacity. Such improvement can be carried out by chemical, physical or genetical modifications of the native enzyme. The present review will survey the different procedures that have been developed to enhance the properties of lipases. It will first focus on the physical modifications of the biocatalysts by adsorption on a carrier material, entrapment or microencapsulation. Chemical modifications and methods such as modification of amino acids residues, covalent coupling to a water-insoluble material, or formation of cross-linked lipase matrix, will also be reviewed. Finally, new and promising methods of lipases modifications by genetic engineering will be discussed

Diet overlap between the newly introduced Lamprichthys tanganicanus and the Tanganyika sardine in Lake Kivu, Eastern Africa

This study evaluates the possible competition for food between Lamprichthys tanganicanus, recently introduced in Lake Kivu, and Limnothrissa miodon, which has been the basis of the pelagic fishery in this lake for several decades. Since 2006, L. tanganicanus has expanded in the lake and its numbers have increased in the captures, raising concern for the sardine fishery. We carried out a 2-year monthly survey, based on experimental captures in littoral and pelagic stations, which demonstrated the invasive dispersal of L. tanganicanus in littoral and pelagic waters. The diet of both species was determined on the basis of gut content analyses, taking into account the influence of site and season, and a diet overlap index was calculated. In the pelagic zone, where almost all size classes of both species were present and essentially fed upon mesozooplankton, the diet overlap was high. This situation stems from the fact that L. tanganicanus has colonized the pelagic zone in Lake Kivu, likely in search for more abundant mesozooplankton. Inshore, the diet overlap between the two species was lower, as L. tanganicanus consumed a broad range of food, whereas L. miodon strongly selected insects and, chiefly for the largest specimens, fishes. These results suggest a likelihood of interspecific competition, particularly offshore, where mesozooplankton is the main available food type, and call for further monitoring of the sardine fishery, to assess a possible impact of the invader. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V