Production and immobilization of lipases produced by the endophytic fungus Cercospora kikuchii for biotechnological applications

Abstract

Enzymes are proteins presenting catalytic activity, with action in mild conditions of temperature and pressure. However, despite of the thousands of known enzymes with various activities, only some of them are used as catalysts in industrial processes. This lack of enzymatic processes on an industrial scale is the result of the scarcity of studies that give solutions to problems that arise when one proposes the design of an enzymatic reaction. The modulation of the properties of enzymes, such as penicillin G acylases by immobilization on different supports with different activation methods, and immobilization conditions can contribute to solve or mitigate the negative effects of the properties of enzymes, allowing their used in a greater number of industrial processes. The immobilization of enzymes on to solid supports using different methods (covalent bonding, adsorption, ionic bond), is a strategy often used for insolubilization and increased operational stability of enzymes, as well as for better operational control and easy retrieval of product. Thus, there is currently sought to develop methodologies to immobilize large amounts of enzyme, enable support to groups with high stability and handling it for extended periods of time. In parallel, the combination of optimization of synthesis conditions and reaction of lipases can increase its production and industrial application. This study aims to use supports, among these include agro-industrial waste, to immobilize lipases produced by the endophytic fungus Cercospora kikuchii employing drying processes, like spray drying and fluidized beds, and the characterization of the system enzyme-support for the evaluation of its biotechnological potential.