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1.
Xylanolytic Enzymes in Pulp and Paper Industry: New Technologies and Perspectives.
Gupta, GK, Dixit, M, Kapoor, RK, Shukla, P
Molecular biotechnology. 2022;(2):130-143
Abstract
The pulp and paper industry discharges massive amount of wastewater containing hazardous organochlorine compounds released during different processing stages. Therefore, some cost-effective and nonpolluting practices such as enzymatic treatments are required for the potential mitigation of effluents released in the environment. Various xylanolytic enzymes such as xylanases, laccases, cellulases and hemicellulases are used to hydrolyse raw materials in the paper manufacturing industry. These enzymes are used either individually or in combination, which has the efficient potential to be considered for bio-deinking and bio-bleaching components. They are highly dynamic, renewable, and high in specificity for enhancing paper quality. The xylanase act on the xylan and cellulases act on the cellulose fibers, and thus increase the bleaching efficacy of paper. Similarly, hemicellulase enzyme like endo-xylanases, arabinofuranosidase and β-D-xylosidases have been described as functional properties towards the biodegradation of biomass. In contrast, laccase enzymes act as multi-copper oxidoreductases, bleaching the paper by the oxidation and reduction process. Laccases possess low redox potential compared to other enzymes, which need some redox mediators to catalyze. The enzymatic process can be affected by various factors such as pH, temperature, metal ions, incubation periods, etc. These factors can either increase or decrease the efficiency of the enzymes. This review draws attention to the xylanolytic enzyme-based advanced technologies for pulp bleaching in the paper industry.
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2.
Optimization of oxalate-free starch production from Taro flour by oxalate oxidase assisted process.
Jacob Kizhakedathil, MP, Suvarna, S, Belur, PD, Wongsagonsup, R, Agoo, EMG, Janairo, JIB
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology. 2021;(2):105-111
Abstract
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch is known to possess unique physical and functional properties such as low amylose content, A-crystalline form, small granules, higher swelling power, etc. Due to the presence of significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, the food industry is reluctant to explore this unique and cheap starch source for various food applications. Traditional processes utilizing various physical and chemical methods to remove oxalate content of starch inevitably change its physical and functional properties. However, using oxalate oxidase can effectively remove oxalates without altering the unique properties of starch. Hence, an attempt was made to optimize oxalate oxidase assisted starch extraction process from taro flour using response surface methodology. A central composite design comprising 20 experimental trials with 10 cube points augmented with six axial points and four replicates at the center point was applied. A mathematical model was developed to show the effect of taro flour concentration, enzyme load and incubation time on the oxalate removal. Validity of the model was experimentally verified and found that 98.3% of total oxalates can be removed under optimal conditions. This is the first report of optimization of the production of starch from taro flour using microbial oxalate oxidase.
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3.
Potential for reduced water consumption in biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol and biogas.
Yuan, HW, Tan, L, Kida, K, Morimura, S, Sun, ZY, Tang, YQ
Journal of bioscience and bioengineering. 2021;(5):461-468
Abstract
Increasing ethanol demand and public concerns about environmental protection promote the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol. Compared to that of starch- and sugar-based bioethanol production, the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol is water-intensive. A large amount of water is consumed during pretreatment, detoxification, saccharification, and fermentation. Water is a limited resource, and very high water consumption limits the industrial production of lignocellulosic bioethanol and decreases its environmental feasibility. In this review, we focused on the potential for reducing water consumption during the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol by performing pretreatment and fermentation at high solid loading, omitting water washing after pretreatment, and recycling wastewater by integrating bioethanol production and anaerobic digestion. In addition, the feasibility of these approaches and their research progress were discussed. This comprehensive review is expected to draw attention to water competition between bioethanol production and human use.
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4.
Repositioning microbial biotechnology against COVID-19: the case of microbial production of flavonoids.
Goris, T, Pérez-Valero, Á, Martínez, I, Yi, D, Fernández-Calleja, L, San León, D, Bornscheuer, UT, Magadán-Corpas, P, Lombó, F, Nogales, J
Microbial biotechnology. 2021;(1):94-110
Abstract
Coronavirus-related disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a pandemic in February 2020, and worldwide researchers try to tackle the disease with approved drugs of all kinds, or to develop novel compounds inhibiting viral spreading. Flavonoids, already investigated as antivirals in general, also might bear activities specific for the viral agent causing COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. Microbial biotechnology and especially synthetic biology may help to produce flavonoids, which are exclusive plant secondary metabolites, at a larger scale or indeed to find novel pharmaceutically active flavonoids. Here, we review the state of the art in (i) antiviral activity of flavonoids specific for coronaviruses and (ii) results derived from computational studies, mostly docking studies mainly inhibiting specific coronaviral proteins such as the 3CL (main) protease, the spike protein or the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In the end, we strive towards a synthetic biology pipeline making the fast and tailored production of valuable antiviral flavonoids possible by applying the last concepts of division of labour through co-cultivation/microbial community approaches to the DBTL (Design, Build, Test, Learn) principle.
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5.
Ashwagandha: Advances in plant biotechnological approaches for propagation and production of bioactive compounds.
Namdeo, AG, Ingawale, DK
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2021;:113709
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Withania somnifera is one of the most extensively delved Ayurvedic medicine. Apart from rejuvenation and increasing longevity, it has several other properties such as immunomodulation, anti-cancer, anti-stress and neuroprotection. Because of its prevailing use and increasing demand, it becomes prudent to scientifically evaluate and document both its propagation and production of desired phytoconstituents. AIM OF THE STUDY This review aims to highlight the research progress achieved on various biotechnological and tissue culture aspects of Withania somnifera and to cover up-to-date information regarding in-vitro propagation and production of withanolides. MATERIALS AND METHODS Significant published studies were identified for the years 2000-2018 using Elsevier-Science Direct, Pubmed and Google scholar and several research studies in our laboratory. Following keywords such as "plant extracts", "in vitro cultures", "callus and suspension culture", "micropropagation", "hairy root cultures" were used. Further, "Withania somnifera", "secondary metabolites specially withanolides", "molecular techniques" and "in vitro conservation" were used to cross-reference the keywords. RESULTS Ashwagandha comprises a broad spectrum of phytochemicals with a wide range of pharmacological properties. W. somnifera seeds have reduced viability and germination rates; thus, its regular cultivation method fails to achieve commercial demands mainly for the production of desired phytoconstituents. Cultivation of plant cells/tissues under in vitro conditions and development of various biotechnological strategies will help to build an attractive alternative to provide adequate quality and quantity raw materials. Recently, a large number of in vitro protocols has developed for W. somnifera not only for its propagation but for the production of secondary metabolites as well. Present work highlights a variety of biotechnological strategies both for prompt propagation and production of different bioactive secondary metabolites. CONCLUSION The present review focuses on the development and opportunities in various biotechnological approaches to accomplish the global demand of W. somnifera and its secondary metabolites. This review underlines the advances in plant biotechnological approaches for the propagation of W. somnifera and production of its bioactive compounds.
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6.
Algae: Biomass to Biofuel.
Soni, VK, Krishnapriya, R, Sharma, RK
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). 2021;:31-51
Abstract
Worldwide demand for ethanol alternative fuel has been emerging day by day owing to the rapid population growth and industrialization. Culturing microalgae as an alternative feedstock is anticipated to be a potentially significant approach for sustainable bioethanol biofuel production. Microalgae are abundant in nature, which grow at faster rates with a capability of storing high lipid and starch/cellulose contents inside their cells. This process offers several environmental advantages, including the effective utilization of land, good CO2 sequestration without entering into "food against fuel" dispute. This chapter focuses on the methods and processes used for the production of bioethanol biofuels from algae. Thus, it also covers significant achievements in the research and developments on algae bioethanol production, mainly including pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation of algae biomass. The processes of producing biodiesel, biogas, and hydrogen have also been discussed.
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7.
Uniqueness of RNA Coliphage Qβ Display System in Directed Evolutionary Biotechnology.
Nchinda, GW, Al-Atoom, N, Coats, MT, Cameron, JM, Waffo, AB
Viruses. 2021;(4)
Abstract
Phage display technology involves the surface genetic engineering of phages to expose desirable proteins or peptides whose gene sequences are packaged within phage genomes, thereby rendering direct linkage between genotype with phenotype feasible. This has resulted in phage display systems becoming invaluable components of directed evolutionary biotechnology. The M13 is a DNA phage display system which dominates this technology and usually involves selected proteins or peptides being displayed through surface engineering of its minor coat proteins. The displayed protein or peptide's functionality is often highly reduced due to harsh treatment of M13 variants. Recently, we developed a novel phage display system using the coliphage Qβ as a nano-biotechnology platform. The coliphage Qβ is an RNA phage belonging to the family of Leviviridae, a long investigated virus. Qβ phages exist as a quasispecies and possess features making them comparatively more suitable and unique for directed evolutionary biotechnology. As a quasispecies, Qβ benefits from the promiscuity of its RNA dependent RNA polymerase replicase, which lacks proofreading activity, and thereby permits rapid variant generation, mutation, and adaptation. The minor coat protein of Qβ is the readthrough protein, A1. It shares the same initiation codon with the major coat protein and is produced each time the ribosome translates the UGA stop codon of the major coat protein with the of misincorporation of tryptophan. This misincorporation occurs at a low level (1/15). Per convention and definition, A1 is the target for display technology, as this minor coat protein does not play a role in initiating the life cycle of Qβ phage like the pIII of M13. The maturation protein A2 of Qβ initiates the life cycle by binding to the pilus of the F+ host bacteria. The extension of the A1 protein with a foreign peptide probe recognizes and binds to the target freely, while the A2 initiates the infection. This avoids any disturbance of the complex and the necessity for acidic elution and neutralization prior to infection. The combined use of both the A1 and A2 proteins of Qβ in this display system allows for novel bio-panning, in vitro maturation, and evolution. Additionally, methods for large library size construction have been improved with our directed evolutionary phage display system. This novel phage display technology allows 12 copies of a specific desired peptide to be displayed on the exterior surface of Qβ in uniform distribution at the corners of the phage icosahedron. Through the recently optimized subtractive bio-panning strategy, fusion probes containing up to 80 amino acids altogether with linkers, can be displayed for target selection. Thus, combined uniqueness of its genome, structure, and proteins make the Qβ phage a desirable suitable innovation applicable in affinity maturation and directed evolutionary biotechnology. The evolutionary adaptability of the Qβ phage display strategy is still in its infancy. However, it has the potential to evolve functional domains of the desirable proteins, glycoproteins, and lipoproteins, rendering them superior to their natural counterparts.
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8.
Hairy Root Culture an Alternative for Bioactive Compound Production from Medicinal Plants.
Roy, A
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology. 2021;(1):136-149
Abstract
Medicinal plants produce a diverse group of phytocompounds like anthraquinones, alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenes which are used in pharmaceutical, perfume, cosmetics, dye and flavor industries. Commercial source of these metabolites is field-grown plants, which are generally influenced by seasonal changes. Biotechnology possesses a significant role in production of high-value secondary metabolites. By incorporating biotechnological methods, it is feasible to manage biosynthetic pathways of the plant to enhance phytocompound production that is of pharmaceutical interest. Plant cell suspension, shoot, adventitious root and hairy root culture are considered as alternative methods for important bioactive compound production. These methods are controllable, sustainable and overcome several inconveniences for large scale secondary metabolites production. At present research on hairy root culture for valuable bioactive compound production has gained a lot of attention. Agrobacterium rhizogenes is an agent which causes hairy root disease in a plant and this leads to the neoplastic growth of root which is characterized by higher growth rate and genetic stability. Various studies explore the hairy root culture for production of a wide range of bioactive compounds. Scale-up of hairy root culture using bioreactors has provided an opportunity to enhance bioactive compound production at the commercial level. The present review discusses the role of hairy root culture in the production of valuable bioactive compounds, the effect of culture parameters on bioactive compound production and bioreactor applications.
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9.
Plant-Based Biosynthesis of Copper/Copper Oxide Nanoparticles: An Update on Their Applications in Biomedicine, Mechanisms, and Toxicity.
Letchumanan, D, Sok, SPM, Ibrahim, S, Nagoor, NH, Arshad, NM
Biomolecules. 2021;(4)
Abstract
Plants are rich in phytoconstituent biomolecules that served as a good source of medicine. More recently, they have been employed in synthesizing metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) due to their capping and reducing properties. This green synthesis approach is environmentally friendly and allows the production of the desired NPs in different sizes and shapes by manipulating parameters during the synthesis process. The most commonly used metals and oxides are gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). Among these, Cu is a relatively low-cost metal that is more cost-effective than Au and Ag. In this review, we present an overview and current update of plant-mediated Cu/copper oxide (CuO) NPs, including their synthesis, medicinal applications, and mechanisms. Furthermore, the toxic effects of these NPs and their efficacy compared to commercial NPs are reviewed. This review provides an insight into the potential of developing plant-based Cu/CuO NPs as a therapeutic agent for various diseases in the future.
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10.
Biosynthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: a review.
Jacinto, MJ, Silva, VC, Valladão, DMS, Souto, RS
Biotechnology letters. 2021;(1):1-12
Abstract
Nanoparticles promise to revolutionize the way we think of ordinary materials thanks to the new features such small structures exhibit which include strength, durability, optical and magnetics properties. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are a prominent class of NMs because of their potential application in magnetic separation, hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and catalysis. Most synthetic nanoparticulate platforms rely on the use of tough chemical procedures associated with unfriendly, harmful and costly reactants. For this reason, bio-inspired approaches have become the most successful alternatives to fabricate nanomaterials in an "eco-friendly" manner, and many bio-protocols that make use of substrates from plants and microorganisms have been successfully applied in the synthesis of magnetic IONPs. In this review, the main biosynthesis protocols applied in the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles are discussed. A discussion on the challenges for a second stage perspective which would be a large scale production is also given.