Lignocellulosic residues from bioethanol production: a novel source of biopolymers for laccase immobilization.

The full utilization of the main components in the lignocellulosic biomass is the major goal from a biorefinery point of view, giving not only environmental benefits but also making the process economically viable. In this sense the solid residue obtained in bioethanol production after steam explosion pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation of the lignocellulosic biomass, was studied for further valorization. Two different residues were analyzed, one generated by the production of cellulosic ethanol from an energy crop such as switchgrass () and the other, from wood ().

Reversible covalent immobilization of Trametes villosa laccase onto thiolsulfinate-agarose: An insoluble biocatalyst with potential for decoloring recalcitrant dyes.

The development of a solid-phase biocatalyst based on the reversible covalent immobilization of laccase onto thiol-reactive supports (thiolsulfinate-agarose [TSI-agarose]) was performed. To achieve this goal, laccase-producing strains isolated from Eucalyptus globulus were screened and white rot fungus Trametes villosa was selected as the best strain for enzyme production. Reduction of disulfide bonds and introduction of "de novo" thiol groups in partially purified laccase were assessed to perform its reversible covalent immobilization onto thiol-reactive supports (TSI-agarose).

Synthesis of a thiol-β-cyclodextrin, a potential agent for controlling enzymatic browning in fruits and vegetables.

A thiol-β-cyclodextrin was synthesized by a simple and environmentally friendly three-step method comprising epoxy activation of β-cyclodextrin, thiosulfate-mediated oxirane opening, and further reduction of the S-alkyl thiosulfate to a thiol group. The final step was optimized by using thiopropyl-agarose, a solid phase reducing agent with many advantages over soluble ones. β-Cyclodextrin thiolation was confirmed by titration with a thiol-reactive reagent, NMR studies, and MALDI-TOF/TOF.

Reversible covalent immobilization of enzymes via disulfide bonds.

This enzyme immobilization approach involves the formation of disulfide (-S-S-) bonds with the support. Thus, enzymes bearing exposed nonessential thiol (SH) groups can be immobilized onto thiol-reactive supports provided with reactive disulfides or disulfide oxides under mild conditions. The great potential advantage of this approach is the reversibility of the bonds formed between the activated solid phase and the thiol-enzyme, because the bound protein can be released with an excess of a low-molecular-weight thiol (e.

Development and characterization of a solid-phase biocatalyst based on cyclodextrin glucantransferase reversibly immobilized onto thiolsulfinate-agarose.

Reduction of disulfide bonds and introduction of "de novo" thiol groups in cyclodextrin glucantransferase from Thermoanaerobacter sp. were assessed in order to perform reversible covalent immobilization onto thiol-reactive supports (thiolsulfinate-agarose). Only the thiolation process dramatically improved the immobilization yield, from 0 % for the native and reduced enzyme, up to nearly 90 % for the thiolated enzyme.

Solid-phase reducing agents as alternative for reducing disulfide bonds in proteins.

Disulfide reduction of Kluyveromyces lactis and Aspergillus oryzae beta-galactosidases and beta-lactoglobulin was assessed. Reduction was performed using one of two thiol-containing agents: dithiothreitol (DTT) or thiopropyl-agarose with a high degree of substitution (1000 micromol of SH groups/g of dried gel). Both reductants allowed an increase of three- (for K.