Zainab Bibi

Agar–agar entrapment increases the stability of endo-β-1,4-xylanase for repeated biodegradation of xylan

Microbial xylanases, specially endo-β-1,4-xylanase catalyzes the hydrolysis of xylan, is considered one of the most significant hydrolases. It has numerous applications but most extensively is utilized in paper and pulp industry as a bio-bleaching agent. Immobilization technique is comprehensively studied with the expectation of modifying and improving enzyme stability and characteristics for commercial purposes. Currently, matrix entrapment technique is applied to immobilize endo-β-1,4-xylanase within agar-agar gel beads produced by Geobacillus stearothermophilus KIBGE-IB29. Maximal enzyme immobilization yield was achieved at 2.5% of agar-agar concentration. Optimized conditions demonstrated an increase in the optimal reaction time from 05 min to 30 min and incubation temperature from 50 °C to 60 °C with reference to free enzyme whereas; no effect was observed for optimum pH. Entrapment technique uniquely changed the kinetic parameters of immobilized endo-β-1,4-xylanase (Km: 0.5074 mg min(-1) to 0.5230 mg min(-1) and Vmax: 4773 U min(-1) to 968 U min(-1)) as compared to free enzyme. However, immobilized enzyme displayed broad thermal stability and retained 79.0% of its initial activity at 80 °C up to 30 min whereas; free enzyme completely lost its activity at this temperature. With respect to economic feasibility, the immobilized enzyme showed impressive recycling efficiency up to six reaction cycles.

Production of xylan degrading endo-1, 4-β-xylanase from thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus KIBGE-IB29

Abstract Xylan degrading bacterial strain was isolated from soil and identified as Geobacillus stearothermophilus KIBGE-IB29 on the basis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Optimization of medium and culture conditions in submerged fermentation was investigated for maximum endo-1, 4-β-xylanase production. High yield of xylan degrading endo-1, 4-β-xylanase was achieved at 60°C and pH-6.0 with 24h of fermentation. Maximum enzyme was produced using 0.5% xylan as a carbon source, 0.5% peptone, 0.2% yeast extract and 0.1% meat extract as nitrogen sources. Di-potassium hydrogen phosphate (0.25%), calcium chloride (0.01%), potassium hydrogen phosphate (0.05%) and ammonium sulfate (0.05%) were also incorporated in the fermentation medium to enhance the enzyme production.

Continuous degradation of maltose by enzyme entrapment technology using calcium alginate beads as a matrix

Maltase from Bacillus licheniformis KIBGE-IB4 was immobilized within calcium alginate beads using entrapment technique. Immobilized maltase showed maximum immobilization yield with 4% sodium alginate and 0.2 M calcium chloride within 90.0 min of curing time. Entrapment increases the enzyme–substrate reaction time and temperature from 5.0 to 10.0 min and 45 °C to 50 °C, respectively as compared to its free counterpart. However, pH optima remained same for maltose hydrolysis. Diffusional limitation of substrate (maltose) caused a declined in Vmax of immobilized enzyme from 8411.0 to 4919.0 U ml−1 min−1 whereas, Km apparently increased from 1.71 to 3.17 mM ml−1. Immobilization also increased the stability of free maltase against a broad temperature range and enzyme retained 45% and 32% activity at 55 °C and 60 °C, respectively after 90.0 min. Immobilized enzyme also exhibited recycling efficiency more than six cycles and retained 17% of its initial activity even after 6th cycles. Immobilized enzyme showed relatively better storage stability at 4 °C and 30 °C after 60.0 days as compared to free enzyme.