Abstract
The catalytic properties of some selected enzymes have long been exploited to carry out efficient and cost-effective bioconversions in a multitude of research and industrial sectors, such as food, health, cosmetics, agriculture, chemistry, energy, and others. Nonetheless, for several applications, naturally occurring enzymes are not considered to be viable options owing to their limited stability in the required working conditions. Over the years, the quest for novel enzymes with actual potential for biotechnological applications has involved various complementary approaches such as mining enzyme variants from organisms living in extreme conditions (extremophiles), mimicking evolution in the laboratory to develop more stable enzyme variants, and more recently, using rational, computer-assisted enzyme engineering strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant enzymes that are used for industrial applications and we discuss the strategies that are adopted to enhance enzyme stability and/or activity, along with some of the most relevant achievements. In all living species, many different enzymes catalyze fundamental chemical reactions with high substrate specificity and rate enhancements. Besides specificity, enzymes also possess many other favorable properties, such as, for instance, cost-effectiveness, good stability under mild pH and temperature conditions, generally low toxicity levels, and ease of termination of activity. As efficient natural biocatalysts, enzymes provide great opportunities to carry out important chemical reactions in several research and industrial settings, ranging from food to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and other crucial economic sectors.
Highlights
The catalytic properties of some selected enzymes have long been exploited to carry out efficient and cost-effective bioconversions in a multitude of research and industrial sectors, such as food, health, cosmetics, agriculture, chemistry, energy, and others
The quest for novel enzymes with actual potential for biotechnological applications has involved various complementary approaches such as mining enzyme variants from organisms living in extreme conditions, mimicking evolution in the laboratory to develop more stable enzyme variants, and more recently, using rational, computer-assisted enzyme engineering strategies
We provide an overview of the most relevant enzymes that are used for industrial applications and we discuss the strategies that are adopted to enhance enzyme stability and/or activity, along with some of the most relevant achievements
Summary
Recombinant DNA techniques have allowed the isolation and cloning of genes encoding for enzymes from all possible sources, including microbes and other microorganisms that are difficult to manipulate, and high-yield heterologous protein expression. Proteases were the prominent product segment in 2015, accounting for 27.4% of the global enzyme market; they are expected to show an even more profitable growth in light of their increasing application in pharmaceutical, detergent, and chemical sectors.. Detergents are supplemented with proteases, lipases, amylases, oxidases, peroxidases, and cellulases in order to breakdown different types of chemical bonds in water To this end, it is essential that they maintain their activity at high temperatures (60 C) and high pH values (pH 9–11), in particular when mixed with other washing powder components. I A–I H, the most important families of industrially relevant enzymes are described, together with key applications
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
