Purification and characterization of a novel glucoamylase from Fusarium solani

Thermostable enzymes are currently being investigated to improve industrial processes of starch saccharification. A novel glucoamylase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the culture supernatant of Fusarium solani on a fast protein liquid chromatographic system (FPLC). The recovery of glucoamylase after gel filtration on FPLC was 31.8% with 26.2-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 40 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 41 kDa by gel filtration. The glucoamylase exhibited optimum activity at pH 4.5. The K_cat and K_m were 441/min and 1.9 mg/ml, respectively, for soluble starch, specificity constant (K_cat/K_m) was 232. The enzyme was thermally stable at 50 °C and retained 79% activity after 60 min at this temperature. The half-life of the enzyme was 26 min at 60°C. The enzyme was slightly stimulated by Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺.     

Removal of reactive blue 19 and reactive blue 49 textile dyes by citrus waste biomass from aqueous solution: Equilibrium and kinetic study

The purpose of this study was to establish the potential of inexpensive and locally available biomaterial, that is, lignocellulosic waste of Citrus sinensis as biosorbent to remove reactive anthraquinone dyes from aqueous solution. The effects of immobilisation and chemical treatment of biosorbent were also explored for the enhanced sorption of dyes. Biosorbent was chemically treated with organic and inorganic reagents of which acetic acid augmented the sorption capacities for Reactive blue 19 and Reactive blue 49 attaining equilibrium in 60 min. While immobilisation of biosorbent into calcium alginate beads reduced the sorption capacity and the time to achieve equilibrium was prolonged up to 120 min. Sorption of both reactive dyes was found to be dependent on pH of media and maximum removal was observed at pH 2. The sorption process was fast and the data followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetic rate equation (R² = 0.99). The equilibrium data were also fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherms. The mechanism of sorption was found to be physiosorption. FTIR analysis and SEM imaging of biosorbent were also carried out to study functional groups involved and morphological changes at the surface of biomass. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

A comprehensive ligninolytic pre-treatment approach from lignocellulose green biotechnology to produce bio-ethanol

In the present study, we developed a novel ligninolytic enzymes based pre-treatment method for lignocellulosic wheat straw to depolymerize lignin and expose the cellulose polymers to produce bio-ethanol. Wheat straw was pre-treated with ligninolytic enzymes extract produced from Ganoderma lucidum under optimum solid state fermentation conditions. The pre-treated biomass was further subjected to the enzymatic hydrolysis by the crude unprocessed cellulases (β-1,4 endoglucanase, 53.5 ± 1.24 U/mL; β-1,4 exoglucanase, 41.3 ± 1.31 U/mL; β-1,4 glucosidase, 46.8 ± 1.43 U/mL; and xylanase 39 ± 2.2 U/mL) produced by Trichoderma harzaianum. Under optimal conditions for enzymatic saccharification, 10% (w/v) of pre-treated biomass was hydrolyzed completely and converted to 72.5 and 2.4 g/L of glucose and xylose, respectively. Initial time screening Sequential Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) of the concentrated enzymatic hydrolyzate (10%, w/v) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced 22.6 g/L ethanol in a fermented medium after 72 h of temperature controlled incubation at 37 °C. For maximum ethanol production, different physical and nutritional parameters like pH, temperature, substrate level and inoculum sizes were optimized. Under optimal conditions ethanol production of 33.5 g/L was obtained from ligninolytic treated residual (wheat straw) biomass.     

Fabrication and Catalytic Characterization of Laccase-Loaded Calcium-Alginate Beads for Enhanced Degradation of Dye-Contaminated Aqueous Solutions

Catalysis Letters - Engineered laccases represent an eco-friendlier and robust biocatalytic tool for the treatment of dye-harboring textile wastewater. This study investigates the immobilization of...     

Decolourisation of direct dyes with manganese peroxidase from white rot basidiomycete Ganoderma lucidum‐IBL‐5

In the current project the ability of white‐rot fungus Ganoderma lucidum IBL‐05 was investigated for the decolourisation of some direct textile dyes. In the initial time course study maximum decolourisation (83.78 ± 5%) was observed for Solar golden yellow R at pH 4 and temperature 30°C after 6th day. Various process parameters like optimum pH, incubation time, temperature and additional carbon and nitrogen additives were optimized to achieve maximum decolourisation of the dye by G. lucidum IBL‐05. Addition of starch (1%) accelerated the dye decolourisation (96 ± 3%). All the nitrogen sources showed an inhibitory effect on dye decolourisation and enzyme induction. Manganese peroxidase (MnP) was found to be the only enzyme (256 ± 5 U/mL) secreted by G. lucidum IBL‐05.     

Removal of direct Red‐31 and direct Orange‐26 by low cost rice husk: Influence of immobilisation and pretreatments

The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of free, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) immobilised, PVA–alginate immobilised, and HCl treated rice husk on the removal of Direct Red‐31 and Direct Orange‐26 dyes. The biosorption capacity of the rice husk increased with HCl treatment (67.39 and 45.34 mg/g) and decreased with PVA–alginate immobilisation (9.73 and 10.03 mg/g) as compared to the free biomass (65.56 and 45.58 mg/g) at 200 mg/L dye concentration for Direct Red‐31 and Direct Orange‐26, respectively. Equilibrium data were best described by Langmuir Type 1 for Direct Red‐31 and Direct Orange‐26 (free, CMC immobilised, PVA–alginate immobilised, and HCl treated). Best correlation coefficients for Direct Red‐31 and Direct Orange‐26 using free, CMC immobilised, PVA–alginate immobilised, and HCl treated rice husk were obtained for pseudo‐second order and Elovich kinetic models. Values of Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) and enthalpy change (ΔH°) indicated that reaction was spontaneous and endothermic in nature at the studied temperatures. FT‐IR studies showed the involvement of carbonyl, carboxyl, and amide groups in the biosorption process. SEM exhibited the morphological changes on the biosorbent surface and BET analysis to determine the surface area is also carried out.     

Biochemical profiling of Pakistani sorghum and millet varieties with special reference to anthocyanins and condensed tannins

Cereals like sorghum and millet are splendid sources of phenolics, dependent on their genetic makeup, and possess varied levels of flavonoids, flavanols, flavanones, anthocyanins, and condensed tannins. In this study, chemical composition and anthocyanin and tannin content of seven sorghum and two millet varieties were evaluated. American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) respective methods were used for chemical composition. Anthocyanins were determined through HPLC/UV-Vis, while condensed tannins were determined spectrophotometrically. Four anthocyanins determined included apigeninidin, kuromanin, pelargonidin, and cyanidin. Among sorghum varieties, JS-263 had the highest apigeninidin (16 µg/g). Other anthocyanins were not found in appreciable quantities. None of the anthocyanins were detected in millet varieties. Condensed tannins were highest in sorghum variety PC-1 (179.76 mg/100g) and millet variety S. Bajra-2011 (172.75 mg/100g). Two varieties, one each from sorghum and millet, were selected for extraction of bran as a separate fraction. Brans were modified by size reduction and enzymatic treatment (xylanase and cellulase). Enzymatic treatment favorably affected the extraction of phenolic compounds like anthocyanins. Sorghum and millet flour- and bran-supplemented breads were also developed and evaluated for sensory acceptability.     

Poly(vinyl Alcohol)-Alginate Immobilized Trametes versicolor IBL-04 Laccase as Eco-friendly Biocatalyst for Dyes Degradation

Catalysis Letters - Laccase-based biocatalysts are promising agents for the remediation of environmental pollutants. However, stability, reusability, and cost-effectiveness remain a challenge for...