Editorial: Green chemistry biocatalysis

Editorial on the Research Topic: Green chemistry biocatalysi

Enzyme immobilisation on wood-derived cellulose scaffolds via carbohydrate-binding module fusion constructs

Enzyme-CBM fusion constructs immobilised on wood-derived cellulose scaffolds: a sustainable approach for continuous flow biocatalysi

Biotransformation of phenolics with laccase containing bacterial spores

Treatment of effluents containing phenols such as textile dyes with fungal laccases is usually limited to the acid to neutral pH range and moderate temperatures. Here we demonstrate for the first time that spore-bound laccases which are stable at high temperatures and pH values can be used for phenolic dye decolorisation. Laccase containing spores from Bacillus SF were immobilized on alumina pellets. Both immobilized and free spores were able to completely decolorize the common textile dyes Mordant Black 9, Mordant Brown 96/Mordant Brown 15, and Acid Blue 74 within 90 min of incubation time and decolorized solutions were successfully used in re-dyeing. spores from Bacillus SF were immobilized on alumina pellets. Both immobilized and free spores were able to completely decolorize the common textile dyes Mordant Black 9, Mordant Brown 96/Mordant Brown 15, and Acid Blue 74 within 90 min of incubation time and decolorized solutions were successfully used in re-dyeing.European Project BIOEFFTEXCompetence Centre Applied Biocatalysi

Using enzyme cascades in biocatalysis: Highlight on transaminases and carboxylic acid reductases

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordBiocatalysis, the use of enzymes in chemical transformations, is an important green chemistry tool. Cascade reactions combine different enzyme activities in a sequential set of reactions. Cascades can occur within a living (usually bacterial) cell; in vitro in ‘one pot’ systems where the desired enzymes are mixed together to carry out the multi-enzyme reaction; or using microfluidic systems. Microfluidics offers particular advantages when the product of the reaction inhibits the enzyme(s). In vitro systems allow variation of different enzyme concentrations to optimise the metabolic ‘flux’, and the addition of enzyme cofactors as required. Cascades including cofactor recycling systems and modelling approaches are being developed to optimise cascades for wider industrial scale use. Two industrially important enzymes, transaminases and carboxylic acid reductases are used as examples regarding their applications in cascade reactions with other enzyme classes to obtain important synthons of pharmaceutical interest.Glaxosmithkline Research & Development LtdBiotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC

Kinetic Study of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of 2-Hydroxyanthracene and 9-Phenanthrol in Presence of Biosurfactant Escin

The kinetics of fungal peroxidase-catalyzed 2-hydroxyanthracene and 9-phenanthrol oxidation was investigated in presence of biosurfactant escin at pH 5.5 and 25 °C. The kinetic measurements were performed using the fluorimetric method and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of escin was determined using the dynamic light scattering technique. Inactivation of peroxidase was observed in absence of biosurfactant escin. It was shown that escin, used in concentrations lower than CMC, decreases or completely stops the peroxidase inactivation and increases the conversion of 2-hydroxyanthracene as well as of 9-phenanthrol. The environmentally friendly method of peroxidase-catalyzed 2-hydroxyanthracene and 9-phenanthrol oxidation in presence of biosurfactant Escin has an advantage over traditional decontamination methods due to their less environmental impact.This article belongs to the Section Biocatalysi

Nanocatalysts Containing Direct Electron Transfer-Capable Oxidoreductases: Recent Advances and Applications

Direct electron transfer (DET)-capable oxidoreductases are enzymes that have the ability to transfer/receive electrons directly to/from solid surfaces or nanomaterials, bypassing the need for an additional electron mediator. More than 100 enzymes are known to be capable of working in DET conditions; however, to this day, DET-capable enzymes have been mainly used in designing biofuel cells and biosensors. The rapid advance in (semi) conductive nanomaterial development provided new possibilities to create enzyme-nanoparticle catalysts utilizing properties of DET-capable enzymes and demonstrating catalytic processes never observed before. Briefly, such nanocatalysts combine several cathodic and anodic catalysis performing oxidoreductases into a single nanoparticle surface. Hereby, to the best of our knowledge, we present the first review concerning such nanocatalytic systems involving DET-capable oxidoreductases. We outlook the contemporary applications of DET-capable enzymes, present a principle of operation of nanocatalysts based on DET-capable oxidoreductases, provide a review of state-of-the-art (nano) catalytic systems that have been demonstrated using DET-capable oxidoreductases, and highlight common strategies and challenges that are usually associated with those type catalytic systems. Finally, we end this paper with the concluding discussion, where we present future perspectives and possible research directions.This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art and Future Trends in Nanostructured Biocatalysi

Passive sampling devices as biological surrogates for evaluating seasonal bioavailability of hydrophobic organic contaminants in surface water

The seasonal distribution of bioavailable organochiorine contaminants in surface water and the potential environmental factors influencing their bioavailability were evaluated. The study was carried at the lower Willamette River at Portland Harbor, Oregon where surface water runoff varied according to season. Bioavailable water concentrations of DDTs and PCBs were determined using a polyethylene membrane containing passive sampling device (PSD), known as semipermeable membrane device (SPMD). Our findings indicated that the influence of river seasonality on the bioavailable distributions of organochiorine contaminants was compound- and site-specific. Bioavailable DDTs concentrations were strongly affected by the local historic use of DDTs and seasonal changes in river conditions. The dominance of bioavailable p,p'-DDD and large DDD/DDE ratios observed during low flow condition in summer suggest redistribution of p,p'-DDD into the water column and conditions favoring reductive dechlorination of p,p'-DDT to p,p'-DDD. In contrast, bioavailable dieldrin and PCB concentrations were significantly increased during high flow condition in fall, especially during episodic rainstorm events. While a discernable seasonal pattern for PCBs was observed along the 18-mile stretch study area, the seasonal pattern of dieldrin was only apparent at the sampling site downstream of an agricultural creek with historical use of dieldrin. The increase in bioavailable PCB concentrations and daily loads cOincident with high precipitation and sewer overflows in fall suggested a significant contribution of PCBs from precipitation input and urban storm water discharges to the surface water. Seasonal bioavailable concentrations of organochiorine compounds exceeded the national and the Oregon water quality criteria revealing the significance of considering realistic seasonal and site-specific influences on bioavailable organochiorine distributions when performing risk assessments. In addition, we developed the triolein-free polyethylene lay flat tubing (LFT) as an alternative in situ PSD. The LFT proved reliable and had the same benefits as SPMD, but was simpler, inexpensive and lacked interference from the triolein impurities. The LFT tended to accumulate compounds with high log K0 faster than SPMD. LFT sampling rates were estimated and modeled for 33 target analytes, including PAHs, PCBs, and organochiorine pesticides. The successful determination of field derived data illustrates the effectiveness and reliability of LIT for environmental monitoring

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1998

Topics: Test Tools; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Life Sciences

Radical-SAM dependent nucleotide dehydratase (SAND), rectification of the names of an ancient iron-sulfur enzyme using NC-IUBMB recommendations

BT/Biocatalysi