Impact of organic solvents on the catalytic performance of halohydrin dehalogenase.

Biocatalytic transformations in organic synthesis often require the use of organic solvents to improve substrate solubility and promote the product formation. Halohydrin dehalogenases (HHDHs) are enzymes that catalyze the formation and conversion of epoxides, important synthetic class of compounds that are often sparingly soluble in water and prone to hydrolysis. In this study, the activity, stability, and enantioselectivity of HHDH from Agrobacterium radiobacter AD1 (HheC) in form of cell-free extract were evaluated in various aqueous-organic media. A correlation was discovered between the enzyme activity in the ring-closure reaction and logP of the solvent. Knowledge of such a relationship makes biocatalysis with organic solvents more predictable, which may reduce the need to experiment with a variety of solvents in the future. The results revealed a high enzyme compatibility with hydrophobic solvents (e.g., n-heptane) in terms of activity and stability. Regarding the HHDH applicability in an organic medium, inhibitions by a number of solvents (e.g., THF, toluene, chloroform) proved to be a more challenging problem than the protein stability, especially in the ring-opening reaction, thus suggesting which solvents should be avoided. In addition, solvent tolerance of the thermostable variant ISM-4 was also evaluated, revealing increased stability and to a lesser extent enantioselectivity compared to the wild-type. This is the first time such a systematic analysis has been reported, giving insight into the behavior of HHDHs in nonconventional media and opening new opportunities for the future biocatalytic applications. KEY POINTS: • HheC performs better in the presence of hydrophobic than hydrophilic solvents. • Enzyme activity in the PNSHH ring-closure reaction is a function of the logP. • Thermostability of ISM-4 variant is accompanied by superior solvent tolerance.

A cascade reaction for the synthesis of d-fagomine precursor revisited: Kinetic insight and understanding of the system.

The synthesis of aldol adduct (3S,4R)-6-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5,6-dideoxyhex-2-ulose, a precursor of the interesting dietary supplement, iminosugar d-fagomine, was studied in a cascade reaction with three enzymes starting from Cbz-N-3-aminopropanol. This system was studied previously using a statistical optimization method which enabled a 79 % yield of the aldol adduct with a 10 % yield of the undesired amino acid by-product. Here, a kinetic model of the cascade, including enzyme operational stability decay rate and the undesired overoxidation of the intermediate product, was developed. The validated model was instrumental in the optimization of the cascade reaction in the batch reactor. Simulations were carried out to determine the variables with the most significant impact on substrate conversion and product yield. As a result, process conditions were found that provided the aldol adduct in 92 % yield with only 0.7 % yield of the amino acid in a one-pot one-step reaction. Additionally, compared to previous work, this improved process outcome was achieved at lower concentrations of two enzymes used in the reaction. With this study the advantages are demonstrated of a modelling approach in developing complex biocatalytical processes. Mathematical models enable better understanding of the interactions of variables in the investigated system, reduce cost, experimental efforts in the lab and time necessary to obtain results since the simulations are carried out in silico.

Mathematical model of the MenD-catalyzed 1,4-addition (Stetter reaction) of α-ketoglutaric acid to acrylonitrile.

The Stetter reaction, a conjugate umpolung reaction, is well known for cyanide-catalyzed transformations of mostly aromatic aldehydes. Enzymatic Stetter reactions, however, have been largely unexplored, especially with respect to preparative transformations. We have investigated the kinetics of the MenD-catalyzed 1,4-addition of α-ketoglutaric acid to acrylonitrile which has shown that acrylonitrile, while an interesting candidate, is a poor substrate for MenD due to low affinity of the enzyme for this substrate. The kinetic model of the reaction was simplified to double substrate Michaelis-Menten kinetics where the reaction rate linearly depends on acrylonitrile concentration. Experiments at different initial concentrations of acrylonitrile under batch, repetitive batch, and fed-batch reactor conditions were carried out to validate the developed mathematical model. Thiamine diphosphate dependent MenD proved to be quite a robust enzyme; nevertheless, enzyme operational stability decay occurs in the reactor. The spontaneous reactivity of acrylonitrile towards polymerization was also taken into account during mathematical modeling. Almost quantitative conversion of acrylonitrile was achieved in all batch reactor experiments, while the yield of the desired product was dependent on initial acrylonitrile concentration (i.e., the concentration of the stabilizer additive). Using the optimized reactor parameters, it was possible to synthesize the product, 6-cyano-4-oxohexanoic acid, in a concentration of 250 mM. The highest concentration of product was achieved in a repetitive batch reactor experiment. A fed-batch reactor experiment also delivered promising results, especially regarding the short reaction time needed to achieve a 200 mM concentration of product. Hence, the enzymatic Stetter reaction with a highly reactive acceptor substrate can be performed on a preparative scale, which should enable similar transformations with acrylate, methacrylate, and methyl vinyl ketone.

Mathematical model for aldol addition catalyzed by two D-fructose-6-phosphate aldolases variants overexpressed in E. coli.

Two D-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase variants namely, single variant FSA A129S and double variant FSA A129S/A165G, were used as catalysts in the aldol addition of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to N-Cbz-3-aminopropanal. Mathematical model for reaction catalyzed by both enzymes, consisting of kinetic and mass balance equations, was developed. Kinetic parameters were estimated from the experimental data gathered by using the initial reaction rate method. The model was validated in the batch and continuously operated ultrafiltration membrane reactor (UFMR). The same type of kinetic model could be applied for both enzymes. The operational stability of the aldolases was assessed by measuring enzyme activity during the experiments. FSA A129S/A165G had better operational stability in the batch reactor (half-life time 26.7 h) in comparison to FSA A129S (half-life time 5.78 h). Both variants were unstable in the continuously operated UFMR in which half-life times were 1.99 and 3.64 h for FSA A129S and FSA A129S/A165G, respectively.

Aldol addition of dihydroxyacetone to N-Cbz-3-aminopropanal catalyzed by two aldolases variants in microreactors.

Aldol addition of dihydroxyacetone to N-Cbz-3-aminopropanal catalyzed by two d-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase variants, FSA A129S and FSA A129S/A165G, overexpressed in Escherichia coli was studied in microreactors. The presence of organic solvent was necessary due to poor solubility of N-Cbz-3-aminopropanal in water. Hence, three co-solvents were evaluated: ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and dimethylformamide (DMF). The influence of these solvents and their concentration on the enzyme activity was independently tested and it was found that all solvents significantly reduce the activity of FSA depending on their concentration. The reaction was carried out in three different microreactors; two without and one with micromixers. By increasing enzyme concentration, it was possible to achieve higher substrate conversion at lower residence time. Enzyme activity measured at the outlet flow of the microreactor at different residence time revealed that enzymes are more stable at lower residence times due to shorter time of exposure to organic solvent. The reaction in the batch reactor was compared with the results in microreactor with micromixers. Volume productivity was more than three fold higher in microreactor with micromixers than in the batch reactor for both aldolases. It was found to be 0.88Md(-1) and 0.80Md(-1) for FSA A129S and FSA A129S/A165G, respectively.

Effect of different variables on the efficiency of the Baker's yeast cell disruption process to obtain alcohol dehydrogenase activity.

Cell disruption process of dry baker's yeast was studied in this work to obtain maximum activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Disruption by ultrasonication, glass beads, and combination of these two methods was compared. A 1.8-fold increase of ADH activity can be achieved by combining glass beads with ultrasonication in comparison to ultrasonication. To achieve maximum volume activity of ADH, the effect of different variables on the cell disruption process was investigated (time, glass bead diameter, mass of glass beads, and ultrasound amplitude). Using the Design-Expert© software, 24 factorial experimental design was performed. Two ultrasound probes were tested: MS 73 and KE 76. Optimal conditions (process variables) for cell disruption process were obtained. Optimal ADH activities after cell disruption with MS 73 and KE 76 probes were 1,890.9 and 1,531.7 U cm⁻³, respectively. Necessary ultrasonication time and ultrasound amplitude should be at the maximum values in the investigated variable range (30 min and 62 %). Bead size should be at maximum (4 mm) when using MS 73 probe and at minimum (0.3 mm) when using KE 76 probe. Partial purification of the enzyme was carried out and it was kinetically characterized using several oxidation and reduction systems.

Mathematical model for Trametes versicolor growth in submerged cultivation.

Trametes versicolor is a white-rot fungus known as a producer of extracellular enzymes such as laccase, manganese-peroxidase, and lignin-peroxidase. The production of these enzymes requires detailed knowledge of the growth characteristics and physiology of the fungus. Submerged cultivations of T. versicolor on glucose, fructose, and sucrose as sole carbon sources were performed in shake flasks. Sucrose hydrolysis catalyzed by the whole cells of T. versicolor was considered as one-step enzymatic reaction described with Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Kinetic parameters of invertase-catalyzed sucrose hydrolysis were estimated (K (m) = 7.99 g dm(-3) and V (m) = 0.304 h(-1)). Monod model was used for description of kinetics of T. versicolor growth on glucose and fructose as sole carbon sources. Growth associated model parameters were estimated from the experimental results obtained by independent experiments (mu(G)(max) = 0.14 h(-1), K(G)(S) = 8.06 g dm(-3), mu(F)(max) = 0.37 h(-1) and K(F)(S) = 54.8 g dm(-3)). Developed mathematical model is in good agreement with the experimental results.