Stabilization of enzymes in micro-emulsions for ultrasound processes

Update of ultrasound-assembling fabrication and biomedical applications for heterogeneous polymer composites

As a power-driving approach, ultrasound irradiation is very appealing to the preparation or modification of new materials. In the review, we overviewed the latest development of ultrasound-mediated effects or reactions in polymer composites, and demonstrated its unique and powerful aspects on the polymerization or aggregation. The review generalized the different categories of heterogeneous polymer composites by defining the constituents, and described the shapes, sizes and basic properties of various purpose-specific or site-specific products. Importantly, the review paid more attention to the main biomedicine applications of heterogeneous polymer composites, such as drug or bioactive substance entrapment, delivery, release, imaging, and therapy, and emphasized many advantages of ultrasound-assembling approaches and heterogeneous polymer composites in biology and medicine fields. In addition, the review also indicated the prospective challenges of heterogeneous polymer composites both in ultrasound-assembling designs and in biomedical applications.

Misused terms in analytical chemistry with emphasis on ultrasound application

A wide number of analytical terms have been applied erroneously for many years by analytical chemists, and they apply at present yet, by considering the time makes their use correct. The question is, may precedents validate the present use of incorrect scientific terms? Misused terms are found along the analytical process, starting with giving the name of the sample to the exiguous fraction of the original sample that reaches the detector or the high-resolution equipment after sample pretreatment and sample preparation. All the steps of the analytical process are considered in this article, with special emphasis on sample preparation and, within this, on the use of ultrasound, mainly for assisting extraction more unequivocally named as leaching or lixiviation. A call of attention in this respect is considered by the author to be of help to the analytical community.

Effect of ultrasound on protein functionality

The review focus on the effect of ultrasound on protein functionality. The presence of transient ultrasonic mechanical waves induce various sonochemical and sonomechanical effects on a protein. Sonochemical effects include the breakage of chains and/or the modification of side groups of aminoacids. Sonomechanical modifications by enhanced molecular agitation, might lead to the transient or permanent modification of the 3D structure of the folded protein. Since the biological function of proteins depends on the maintenance of its 3D folded structure, both sonochemical and sonomechanical effects might affect its properties. A protein might maintain its 3D structure and functionality after minor sonochemical effects, however, the enhanced mass transfer by sonomechanical effects might expose internal hydrophobic residues of the protein, making protein unfolding to an irreversible denatured state. Ultrasound enhanced mass transport effects are unique pathways to change the 3D folded structure of proteins which lead to a new functionality of proteins as support shield materials during the formation microspheres. Enzymes are proteins and their reactions should be conducted in a reactor set-up where enzymes are protected from sonic waves to maximize their catalytic efficiency. In this review, focused examples on protein dispersions/emulsions and enzyme catalysis are given.

Optimisation of the Production and Bleaching Process for a New Laccase from Madurella mycetomatis, Expressed in Pichia pastoris: from Secretion to Yielding Prominent

Laccases are polyphenol oxidoreductases used in a number of industrial applications. Due to the increasing demand for these "green catalysis" enzymes, the identification and biochemical characterisation of their novel properties is essential. In our study, cloned Madurella mycetomatis laccase (mmlac) genes were heterologously expressed in the methylotrophic yeast host Pichia pastoris. The high yield of the active recombinant protein in P. pastoris demonstrates the efficiency of a reliably constructed plasmid to express the laccase gene. The optimal biochemical conditions for the successfully expressed MmLac enzyme were identified. Detailed structural properties of the recombinant laccase were determined, and its utility in decolourisation and textile bleaching applications was examined. MmLac demonstrates good activity in an acidic pH range (4.0-6.0); is stable in the presence of cationic metals, organic solvents and under high temperatures (50-60 °C); and is stable for long-term storage at - 20 °C and - 80 °C for up to eight weeks. The structural analysis revealed that the catalytic residues are partially similar to other laccases. MmLac resulted in an increase in whiteness, whilst demonstrating high efficiency and stability and requiring the input of fewer chemicals. The performance of this enzyme makes it worthy of investigation for use in textile biotechnology applications, as well as within environmental and food technologies.

Practical insights on enzyme stabilization

Enzymes are efficient catalysts designed by nature to work in physiological environments of living systems. The best operational conditions to access and convert substrates at the industrial level are different from nature and normally extreme. Strategies to isolate enzymes from extremophiles can redefine new operational conditions, however not always solving all industrial requirements. The stability of enzymes is therefore a key issue on the implementation of the catalysts in industrial processes which require the use of extreme environments that can undergo enzyme instability. Strategies for enzyme stabilization have been exhaustively reviewed, however they lack a practical approach. This review intends to compile and describe the most used approaches for enzyme stabilization highlighting case studies in a practical point of view.