Abstract
The ascending application of enzymes in organic synthesis creates a growing demand for novel biocatalysts. The applied methods for their identification range from microbial enrichment cultures over metagenome screenings to solely computational methods. In this communication, we demonstrate a straightforward screening approach for the detection of novel biocatalysts in fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. It basically relies on mincing of the whole fruit bodies of freshly collected mushrooms with subsequent direct screening. Suitability was demonstrated with eight different mushrooms which were investigated for carbonyl reductase activity on sterically demanding carbonyl compounds. The results indicate the presence of potentially useful carbonyl reductases (KREDs) in all tested fungi. Closer characterization of the preparation from pigskin poison puffball (Scleroderma citrinum) showed the presence of KRED exhibiting a broad substrate range. Thus, applicability of this low-tech screening approach could be verified in this study.
Highlights
Enzymes are an increasingly important tool for the synthesis of commodity as well as fine chemicals, applications ranging from lab to industrial scale [1] [2]
We demonstrate a straightforward screening approach for the detection of novel biocatalysts in fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota
The results indicate the presence of potentially useful carbonyl reductases (KREDs) in all tested fungi
Summary
Enzymes are an increasingly important tool for the synthesis of commodity as well as fine chemicals, applications ranging from lab to industrial scale [1] [2]. The identification of novel enzymes with new characteristics and functionalities is required to meet the ever-changing/evolving requirements for the growing number of processes. Strategies for this task are numerous [3]. A classical approach is the utilization of enrichment cultures, where a biological sample is treated with a potential substrate. Microorganisms with an ability to metabolize the given substrate are enriched and may be used as a source for enzymes modifying the given compound [4].
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