Tyr320 is a molecular determinant of the catalytic activity of β-glucosidase from Neosartorya fischeri.

β-Glucosidases (BGL) are key members of the cellulase enzyme complex that determine efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass degradation, which have shown great functional importance to many biotechnological systems. A previous reported BGL from Neosartorya fischeri (NfBGL) showed much higher activity than other BGLs. Screening the important residues based on sequence alignment, analyzing a homology model, and subsequent alteration of individually screened residues by site-directed mutagenesis were carried out to investigate the molecular determinants of the enzyme's high catalytic efficiency.

Influence of Metal Ions on the Immobilization of β-Glucosidase Through Protein-Inorganic Hybrids.

Immobilization of enzymes through metal-based system is demonstrated as a promising approach to enhance its properties. In this study, the influence of metals ions, including copper, cobalt and zinc (Zn) on the immobilization of β-glucosidase (BGL) through the synthesis of protein-inorganic hybrid was evaluated at 4 °C. Among these metal ions-based hybrids, Zn showed the highest encapsulation yield and relative activity of 87.

Methanol production from simulated biogas mixtures by co-immobilized Methylomonas methanica and Methylocella tundrae.

In the present study, co-cultures of the methanotrophs Methylocella tundrae, Methyloferula stellata, and Methylomonas methanica were evaluated for improving methanol production with their application. Among the different combinations, the co-culture of M. tundrae and M.

SnO hollow nanotubes: a novel and efficient support matrix for enzyme immobilization.

A major challenge in the industrial use of enzymes is maintaining their stability at elevated temperatures and in harsh organic solvents. In order to address this issue, we investigated the use of nanotubes as a support material for the immobilization and stabilization of enzymes in this work. SnO hollow nanotubes with a high surface area were synthesized by electrospinning the SnCl precursor and polyvinylpyrrolidone (dissolved in dimethyl formamide and ethanol).

Improvement in methanol production by regulating the composition of synthetic gas mixture and raw biogas.

Raw biogas can be an alternative feedstock to pure methane (CH4) for methanol production. In this investigation, we evaluated the methanol production potential of Methylosinus sporium from raw biogas originated from an anaerobic digester. Furthermore, the roles of different gases in methanol production were investigated using synthetic gas mixtures of CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen (H2).

Potential of Immobilized Whole-Cell Methylocella tundrae as a Biocatalyst for Methanol Production from Methane.

Methanol is a versatile compound that can be biologically synthesized from methane (CH4) by methanotrophs using a low energy-consuming and environment-friendly process. Methylocella tundrae is a type II methanotroph that can utilize CH4 as a carbon and energy source. Methanol is produced in the first step of the metabolic pathway of methanotrophs and is further oxidized into formaldehyde.

Biological Methanol Production by a Type II Methanotroph Methylocystis bryophila.

Methane (CH₄) is the most abundant component in natural gas. To reduce its harmful environmental effect as a greenhouse gas, CH₄ can be utilized as a low-cost feed for the synthesis of methanol by methanotrophs. In this study, several methanotrophs were examined for their ability to produce methanol from CH₄; including Methylocella silvestris, Methylocystis bryophila, Methyloferula stellata, and Methylomonas methanica.