The enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic naproxen methyl ester in supercritical CO2 using Candida rugosa lipase

CO2 -Enabled Biomass Fractionation/Depolymerization: A Highly Versatile Pre-Step for Downstream Processing

Lignocellulosic biomass is inevitably subject to fractionation and depolymerization processes for enhanced selectivity toward specific products, in most cases prior to catalytic upgrading of the three main fractions-cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Among the developed pretreatment techniques, CO₂ -assisted biomass processing exhibits some unique advantages such as the lowest critical temperature (31.0 °C) with moderate critical pressure, low cost, nontoxicity, nonflammability, ready availability, and the addition of acidity, alongside easy recovery by pressure release. This Review showcases progress in the study of sub- or supercritical CO₂ -mediated thermal processing of lignocellulosic biomass-the key pre-step for downstream conversion processes. The auxo-action of CO₂ in biomass pretreatment and fractionation, along with the involved variables, direct degradation of untreated biomass in CO₂ by gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction with relevant conversion mechanisms, and CO₂ -enabled depolymerization of lignocellulosic fractions with representative reaction pathways are summarized. Moreover, future prospects for the practical application of CO₂ -assisted up- and downstream biomass-to-bioproduct conversion are also briefly discussed.

Covalent Immobilization of Candida rugosa Lipase on Epichlorohydrin-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles: Enantioselective Hydrolysis Studies of Some Racemic Esters and HPLC Analysis

In this study, a new biocatalyst was prepared by immobilizing Candida rugosa lipase epichlorohydrin-functionalized onto the surface of the nanoparticles. Magnetite nanoparticles were obtained by chemical co-precipitation method of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, and then the prepared uncoated and coated nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT-IR and TGA. Lipase was covalently attached to activated nanoparticles. The catalytic properties of free and immobilized lipases were determined. It was found that the optimum temperature for free and immobilized lipases was 30 °C and 35 °C, respectively. The optimum pH values were found to be 7.0 and 8 for free and immobilized lipases, respectively. Immobilized lipase was found to retain significant activity even after the seventh use. In the final section of the study, optically pure compounds were obtained by carrying out the enantioselective hydrolysis studies of racemic esters by using immobilized lipase. Enantiomeric excesses of the products in the enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic ibuprofen and naproxen methyl ester and racemic butyl mandelate were determined to be 94.93, 77.30 and 68.15, respectively.

Kinetic resolution of racemic naproxen methyl ester by magnetic and non-magnetic cross-linked lipase aggregates

In this study, the non-magnetic and the magnetic cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) from Candida rugosa lipase were synthesized to catalyze the kinetic resolution reaction of naproxen methyl ester (NME). Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) were produced through co-precipitation method and their surfaces were modified by silanization reaction. The MIONPs were used as a platform to synthesize the magnetic CLEAs (M-CLEAs). The biocatalysts and MIONPs synthesized were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The kinetic resolution of racemic NME was studied in aqueous buffer solution/isooctane biphasic system to compare the performance of M-CLEAs and CLEAs. The effects of reaction parameters such as temperature, pH, stirring rate on the enantiomeric excess of the substrate (ee_s%) were investigated in a batch reactor system. The activity recovery of CRL enzyme in CLEAs was higher than M-CLEAs. Compared with M-CLEAs, CLEAs biocatalysts had previously reached ee_s% values. Although both biocatalysts showed similar cavity structure from SEM analysis, the lower performance of M-CLEAs may be due to the different microenvironments of M-CLEAs from CLEAs. However, the reusability performance of M-CLEAs was higher than that of CLEAs. The optimal reaction conditions for M-CLEAs and CLEAs were found to be 37 °C, pH 7.5, and 300 rpm.

Engineered microbial biofuel production and recovery under supercritical carbon dioxide

Culture contamination, end-product toxicity, and energy efficient product recovery are long-standing bioprocess challenges. To solve these problems, we propose a high-pressure fermentation strategy, coupled with in situ extraction using the abundant and renewable solvent supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), which is also known for its broad microbial lethality. Towards this goal, we report the domestication and engineering of a scCO2-tolerant strain of Bacillus megaterium, previously isolated from formation waters from the McElmo Dome CO2 field, to produce branched alcohols that have potential use as biofuels. After establishing induced-expression under scCO2, isobutanol production from 2-ketoisovalerate is observed with greater than 40% yield with co-produced isopentanol. Finally, we present a process model to compare the energy required for our process to other in situ extraction methods, such as gas stripping, finding scCO2 extraction to be potentially competitive, if not superior.

Isolation, Development, and Genomic Analysis of Bacillus megaterium SR7 for Growth and Metabolite Production Under Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is an attractive substitute for conventional organic solvents due to its unique transport and thermodynamic properties, its renewability and labile nature, and its high solubility for compounds such as alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes. However, biological systems that use scCO2 are mainly limited to in vitro processes due to its strong inhibition of cell viability and growth. To solve this problem, we used a bioprospecting approach to isolate a microbial strain with the natural ability to grow while exposed to scCO2. Enrichment culture and serial passaging of deep subsurface fluids from the McElmo Dome scCO2 reservoir in aqueous media under scCO2 headspace enabled the isolation of spore-forming strain Bacillus megaterium SR7. Sequencing and analysis of the complete 5.51 Mbp genome and physiological characterization revealed the capacity for facultative anaerobic metabolism, including fermentative growth on a diverse range of organic substrates. Supplementation of growth medium with L-alanine for chemical induction of spore germination significantly improved growth frequencies and biomass accumulation under scCO2 headspace. Detection of endogenous fermentative compounds in cultures grown under scCO2 represents the first observation of bioproduct generation and accumulation under this condition. Culturing development and metabolic characterization of B. megaterium SR7 represent initial advancements in the effort toward enabling exploitation of scCO2 as a sustainable solvent for in vivo bioprocessing.

C-terminal region of Candida rugosa lipases affects enzyme activity and interfacial activation

Candida rugosa contains several lipase (CRLs) genes, and CRLs show diverse enzyme activity despite being highly homologous across their entire protein family. Previous studies found that LIP4 has a high esterase activity and a low lipolytic activity and lacks interfacial activation. To investigate whether the C-terminal region of the CRLs mediates enzymatic activity, chimeras were generated in which the C-terminus of LIP4 from either residue 374, 396, 417, or 444 to residue 534 was swapped with the corresponding peptide from the isoform LIP1. A chimeric lipase containing the C-terminus from 396 to 534 of LIP1 on a LIP4 scaffold showed activity similar to that of commercial CRL on triolein, and lipolytic activity increased 2-6-fold over that of LIP4. Moreover, interfacial activation was also observed in the chimeric lipase. To improve its enzymatic properties, a novel glycosylation site was added at residue 314. The new glycosylated lipase showed improved thermostability and enhancement in enzymatic activity, indicating its potential for use in further application.

Mini-review: green sustainable processes using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide

Environmentally benign carbon dioxide offers significant potential in its supercritical fluid phase to replace current reliance on a range of hazardous, relatively expensive and environmentally damaging organic solvents that are used on an extensive global basis. The unique combination of the physical properties of supercritical fluids are being exploited and further researched to continue the development and establishment of high efficiency, compact plant to provide energy and water efficient manufacturing processes. This mini-review is focused on the use and potential applications of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide for a selected range of key and emerging industrial processes as a sustainable alternative to totally eliminate or greatly reduce the requirement of numerous conventional organic solvents. Examples of the industries include: chemical extraction and purification, synthetic chemical reactions including polymerization and inorganic catalytic processes. Biochemical reactions involving enzymes, particle size engineering, textile dyeing and advanced material manufacture provide further illustrations of vital industrial activities where supercritical fluid technology processes are being implemented or developed. Some aspects relating to the economics of sustainable supercritical fluid carbon dioxide processes are also considered.