[Advances in algae tool enzymes: alginate lyases]

Area of Science:

• Marine biotechnology
• Enzymology
• Carbohydrate chemistry

Background:

• Marine environments are rich, yet underexplored, sources of novel biological materials.
• Algal oligosaccharides possess significant bioactive functions.
• Alginate lyases are crucial enzymes for alginate oligosaccharide production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advancements in alginate lyase research over the past decade.
• To consolidate information on alginate lyase origins, diversity, and mechanisms.
• To present the application prospects of alginate lyases in marine resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of alginate lyase research from the last 10 years.
• Analysis of enzyme origin, substrate specificity, mode of action, and catalytic mechanisms.
• Examination of enzyme activity assays and characterization methods.
• Inclusion of author's own research experiences.

Main Results:

• Alginate lyases exhibit diverse origins and substrate specificities.
• Understanding of alginate lyase structure-function relationships and catalytic mechanisms has advanced.
• Standardized methods for enzyme activity assay and characterization are crucial.
• Significant progress has been made in developing alginate oligosaccharides with specific bioactivities.

Conclusions:

• Alginate lyases are versatile tools for marine resource valorization.
• Further research into alginate lyase diversity and engineering can unlock new applications.
• Alginate oligosaccharides hold promise for various industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields.