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Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution
Published on: June 14, 2024
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Solvent tolerant enzymes in extremophiles: Adaptations and applications
Bhavtosh Kikani1, Rajesh Patel2, Jignasha Thumar3
1Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot 360 005, Gujarat, India; Department of Biological Sciences, P.D. Patel Institute of Applied Sciences, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa 388 421, Gujarat, India.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|March 18, 2023
Summary
Solvent-stable enzymes from extremophiles offer unique biocatalysis possibilities in non-aqueous environments. This review consolidates information on these enzymes, their stability mechanisms, and protein engineering for biotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Biotechnology
- Enzymology in Non-aqueous Media
Background:
- Enzymes typically show low activity in organic solvents due to solvent-enzyme-water interactions.
- Solvent-stable enzymes are crucial for synthesizing valuable products like peptides and esters via enzymatic hydrolysis.
- Extremophiles are promising sources for discovering robust enzymes with inherent stability in organic solvents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review solvent-stable enzymes from extremophilic microorganisms.
- To explore mechanisms enabling microorganisms to withstand solvent stress.
- To discuss protein engineering and immobilization strategies for non-aqueous biocatalysis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review consolidating existing research on solvent-stable enzymes.
- Analysis of extremophile adaptations to solvent stress.
- Overview of protein engineering techniques for enzyme stabilization.
- Discussion of immobilization strategies for enhanced biocatalysis.
Main Results:
- Extremozymes exhibit inherent stability and catalytic activity in organic solvents.
- Specific microbial adaptations facilitate survival and function under solvent stress.
- Protein engineering and immobilization enhance enzyme performance in non-aqueous systems.
Conclusions:
- Solvent-stable enzymes from extremophiles are valuable biocatalysts for non-aqueous applications.
- Understanding microbial stress mechanisms and employing protein engineering are key to advancing non-aqueous enzymology.
- This review provides a foundation for further research and application of these enzymes in biotechnology.
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