Synthesis of biological active compounds using carbohydrate esterases as biocatalysts

• Various fungal and bacterial carbohydrate esterases represent appealing biocatalysts that have the ability not only to deconstruct plant biomass but also to modify compounds with a potential use in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Feruloyl esterases (FAEs, E.C. 3.1.1.73) have been proved promising candidates for the enzymatic synthesis of antioxidants allowing more flexible process configurations. Among the advantages they provide are use of lower temperatures (50-60 °C) comparing to the counterpart chemical process (150οC), one step production of one product instead of mixtures and no need of by-product and catalyst residues removal in order to produce clean and high quality substances. Glucuronoyl esterase (GE) synthetic ability needs to be explored towards the production of alkyl branched glucuronic acid derivatives which are non-ionic surfactants and have good surface properties, including biodegradability. In addition, due to their tastelessness, non skin-irritation and non toxicity, these bioactive compounds find diverse uses in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.Aim of this work is the development of competitive and eco-friendly bioconversions based on transesterification reactions catalyzed by FAEs and GEs, for the production of molecules with antioxidant activity, such as phenolic fatty and sugar esters. The synthesis of four biological active compounds (prenyl ferulate, prenyl caffeate, 5-O-(trans-feruloyl)-arabinofuranose, and glyceryl ferulate) was evaluated using recombinant FAEs from Myceliopthora thermophila and Fusarium oxysporum, while the synthesis of benzyl D-glucuronate and prenyl-D-glucuronate was evaluated using recombinant GEs from M. thermophila. All reactions were carried out in ternary systems of n-hexane/alcohol/water forming surfactantless microemulsions.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Bioprocessteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Bioprocess Technology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Biokemisk processteknik

Biochemical Process Engineering

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)