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Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
Stabilisation of the Fatty Acid Decarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis by Caprylic Acid
Yinqi Wu1, Caroline E Paul1, Frank Hollmann1
1Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The fatty acid photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis NC64 A (CvFAP) catalyses the light-dependent decarboxylation of fatty acids. Photoinactivation of CvFAP still represents one of the major limitations of this interesting enzyme en route to practical application. In this study we demonstrate that the photostability of CvFAP can easily be improved by the administration of medium-chain length carboxylic acids such as caprylic acid indicating that the best way of maintaining CvFAP stability is 'to keep the enzyme busy'.
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