Microbial enzymes and potential use in algal polysaccharide modifications

Abstract

Recent advances in enzyme production technologies include research related to genetics and microbial physiology. Although yeasts, filamentous fungi, and bacteria have been shown to be important microbial resources for enzymatic production, the search for new organisms with different properties and the probability of finding novel applications to the usual biocatalysts remain an important area in process engineering and biotechnology. Microorganisms are able to produce enzymes such as glucosidases, sulfatases, lipases, and proteases, among others, that could be employed in a variety of industrial and environmental applications. The plant cell wall and polysaccharides synthesized by marine algae represent the main contributors to Earth's carbon cycle. Since their biomasses are abundant and renewable, some microbial enzymes have been used in their bioconversion, aiming to obtain valuable products for the biofuel, food, and pharmaceutical industries. In the quest for bioactive compounds, marine algae polysaccharides could present anticoagulation, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant biological activities depending on their structure. In this sense, the use of enzymatic methods could be the most appropriate tool to define and enhance the biological activity of these polysaccharides. Considering the advantages in the use of microbial enzymes in biotransformation processes, modifications in polysaccharides structures should be carried out by using them. This book chapter deals with the presentation of important microbial enzymes with potential use in modification of polysaccharide structures from native red, green, and brown algae in addition to the advantages and the importance of using enzymatic methods during carbohydrate modification.