L1 Enzyme Science and Engineering overview

Enzyme Science and Engineering

  • Instructor: Ravikrishnan Elangovan, Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Evaluation Model

  • Midsem: 30 marks

  • Major: 30 marks

  • Lab Component: 20 marks

  • Quiz: 20 marks

  • Attendance Policy: Less than 70% attendance results in one grade down.

  • Class Ethics:

    • Come on time and participate.

    • Do not disturb others.

    • No malpractice.

Schedule for the Semester

  • Class Timing: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 - 10:00 AM

  • Lab Timing: Monday, Friday 2:00 - 4:00 PM

  • Mid Sem: 21st - 27th February 2024

  • Major Exam: 1st May onwards

  • Quizzes: One quiz every week.

  • Lab Practical Report Submission: MS Teams by 28th February and 1st March 2025.

  • Mid Sem Break: 2nd - 15th March 2025.

Scope of Enzyme Engineering

  • Industry Verticals:

    1. Healthcare

    2. Agriculture and Food Processing

    3. Biofuels

    4. Environmental Applications

    5. Consumer Applications

  • Processes Involved:

    • Upstream

    • Bioprocessing

    • Bioreactors

    • Downstream

    • Plant Design

Topics to be Covered

  • Mid Sem Topics:

    • Enzyme chemical and functional nature

    • Enzyme source

    • Enzyme purification

    • Enzyme kinetics, inhibition, and inactivation

    • Enzyme immobilization

    • Enzyme improvement

    • High-throughput screening

  • Major Topics:

    • Enzyme reactors

    • Diffusion restriction

    • Therapeutic applications

    • Enzymes in biosensing

    • Enzymes in bioethanol & biodiesel

    • Non-aqueous enzymology

    • Biocatalysis

Benefits of Enzymes

  • Advantages:

    • Facilitate chemical reactions at mild conditions.

    • Highly specific reactions with high catalytic rates.

    • Availability of over 10,000 enzymes.

  • Common Misconceptions:

    • Stability:

      • Aspartase: half-life 24 months

      • Fumarase: half-life 180 months

      • Protease: half-life 2 months

    • Cost:

      • Bacterial α-amylase: $2.4/kg

      • Glucose isomerase: $11/kg

    • Productivity:

      • Example: acrylonitrile to acrylamide at 400 g/L/hr.

Characteristics of Enzymes for Industrial Applications

  • Specificity: Highly specific catalytic activity.

  • Efficiency: Operate at lower temperatures and pressures.

  • Stability: Effective over a wide pH and temperature range.

  • Renewability: Biodegradable and sustainable.

  • Versatility: Applicable across various industries such as food processing, textiles, detergents, and biofuels.

Enzyme Classes

  • Industrial Enzymes Classification:

    • EC 1: Oxidoreductases (e.g., catalase, glucose oxidase)

    • EC 2: Transferases

    • EC 3: Hydrolases (e.g., amylase, cellulase)

    • EC 4: Lyases

    • EC 5: Isomerases

    • EC 6: Ligases

Enzyme Production Process

  • Conventional Fermentation:

    • Uses raw materials, continuous sterilization, compression, and inoculation tanks.

    • Measurements include % CO2, % O2, temperature, pH, biomass, enzyme activity.

Biocatalysis Cycle

  • Process Stages:

    • Reactants -> Process -> Products

    • Downstream and In situ recovery

    • Biocatalyst selection and engineering

    • Biocatalyst characterization, stability, kinetics, immobilization, cofactor regeneration.

Motivation for Enzyme Engineering

  • Global Market Size: Enzymes in the U.S. represent $3.1B (2021), projected to grow significantly.

  • Market Trends: Specialty enzymes and industrial enzymes projected for growth in varying applications including food, detergents, biofuels, etc.

Key Applications of Enzymes

  • Food Industry:

    • Enzymes like amylase, pectinase, lactases.

  • Animal Feed:

    • Improving nutritional content.

  • Pulp and Paper Industry:

    • Laccases, cellulases for breaking down lignin.

  • Textile Industry:

    • Cellulase for desizing and softening.

  • Leather Industry:

    • Enzymes like protease to facilitate dehairing and bating.

  • Detergent Industry:

    • Enzymes for better cleaning performance and lower energy use.

Enzymes in Therapeutic Applications

  • Uses:

    • Oncolytics, anticoagulants, thrombolytics, and replacements for metabolic deficiencies.

  • Challenges:

    • Size, immune response, half-life, and purity requirements.

  • Examples: Uricase for gout treatment.

Summary of Enzyme Applications in Various Industries

  • Enzymes are versatile tools with specific applications across multiple sectors, improving efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.

  • They enable efficient biochemical processes, are essential in biotechnological advancements, and contribute positively to industrial practices.