Enhanced activity of lipase B in cholinium aminoate ionic liquids: a combined experimental and computational analysis.

As a class of ionic liquids with higher biocompatibility, cholinium aminoates ([Cho][AA]) hold potential as solvation media for enzymatic bioprocessing. Herein, solvation effect of [Cho][AA] on structural stability and enzymatic activity of lipase B (CALB) was evaluated using experimental and computational approaches. Influence of [Cho][AA] on CALB stability was investigated using amino acid anions ([AA]) with varying hydrophobicity levels.

Probing the molecular interactions between cholinium-based ionic liquids and insulin aspart: A combined computational and experimental study.

Despite extensive studies revealing the potential of cholinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) in protein stabilization, the nature of interaction between ILs' constituents and protein residues is not well understood. In this work, we used a combined computational and experimental approach to investigate the structural stability of a peptide hormone, insulin aspart (IA), in ILs containing a choline cation [Ch] and either dihydrogen phosphate ([Dhp]) or acetate ([Ace]) as anions. Although IA remained stable in both 1 M [Ch][Dhp] and 1 M [Ch][Ace], [Dhp] exhibited a much stronger stabilization effect than [Ace].

Enhancing plastic biodegradation process: strategies and opportunities.

Plastic biodegradation has emerged as a sustainable approach and green alternative in handling the ever-increasing accumulation of plastic wastes in the environment. The complete biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate is one of the most recent breakthroughs in the field of plastic biodegradation. Despite the success, the effective and complete biodegradation of a wide variety of plastics is still far from the practical implementation, and an on-going effort has been mainly devoted to the exploration of novel microorganisms and enzymes for plastic biodegradation.

PERISCOPE-Opt: Machine learning-based prediction of optimal fermentation conditions and yields of recombinant periplasmic protein expressed in .

Optimization of the fermentation process for recombinant protein production (RPP) is often resource-intensive. Machine learning (ML) approaches are helpful in minimizing the experimentations and find vast applications in RPP. However, these ML-based tools primarily focus on features with respect to amino-acid-sequence, ruling out the influence of fermentation process conditions.

In silico screening and heterologous expression of soluble dimethyl sulfide monooxygenases of microbial origin in Escherichia coli.

Sequence-based screening has been widely applied in the discovery of novel microbial enzymes. However, majority of the sequences in the genomic databases were annotated using computational approaches and lacks experimental characterization. Hence, the success in obtaining the functional biocatalysts with improved characteristics requires an efficient screening method that considers a wide array of factors.

Valorisation of carrot peel waste by water-induced hydrocolloidal complexation for extraction of carotene and pectin.

Food processing waste is a potential resource of a variety of bioactive compounds. Carrot peel is a good example of phytonutrient-rich agroindustrial byproducts generated from the processing of carrots. The conventional methods for the extraction of phytonutrients typically involve large volume of organic solvents, complex procedures and expensive equipment.

Enhanced structural stability of insulin aspart in cholinium aminoate ionic liquids.

Cholinium aminoates [Ch][AA] have gained tremendous interest as a promising ionic liquid medium for the synthesis and storage of proteins. However, high alkalinity of [Ch][AA] limits its usage with pH-sensitive proteins. Here, we probed the structure, stability, and interactions of a highly unstable therapeutic protein, insulin aspart (IA), in a range of buffered [Ch][AA] (b-[Ch][AA]) using a combination of biophysical tools and in silico pipeline including ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering measurements and molecular docking.

Recent development and challenges in extraction of phytonutrients from palm oil.

Phytonutrients are plant-derived bioactives which are widely utilized as colorants or supplements in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. To meet the global demand for phytonutrients, oil palm has emerged as a promising source of phytonutrients on account of its large-scale plantation worldwide and high oil productivity. Phytonutrients including carotenoids, tocols, sterols, squalene, phospholipids, coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols can be found in crude palm oil as well as in the byproducts (e.

Stepwise optimization of recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli utilizing computational and experimental approaches.

Over the past few decades, Escherichia coli (E. coli) remains the most favorable host among the microbial cell factories for the production of soluble recombinant proteins. Recombinant protein production (RPP) via E.

A facile water-induced complexation of lycopene and pectin from pink guava byproduct: Extraction, characterization and kinetic studies.

The redfleshed pulp discarded from pink guava puree industry is a rich source of lycopene and pectin. In this study, we developed a facile extraction process employing water as the primary extraction medium to isolate the lycopene and pectin from pink guava decanter. When the decanter was suspended in water, the complexation of lycopene and pectin formed the cloudy solution, where the colloidal complexes were recovered through centrifugation.

Kinetic modeling of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance secretion by Kp10 and its stability in food manufacturing conditions.

This paper deliberates the modelling and validation of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) secretion by Kp10 at different agitation speeds in a stirred tank bioreactor. A range of models namely the re-parameterised logistic, Luedeking-Piret and maintenance energy were assessed to predict the culture performance of the said bacterium. Growth of Kp10 was enhanced with increased agitation speed up to 600 rpm while BLIS secretion was maximum at 400 rpm but decreased at higher agitation speed.

Valorization of Dacryodes rostrata fruit through the characterization of its oil.

Dacryodes rostrata (kembayau) is an important food and oil resource for local communities in Borneo, but it is not commonly known to wider community. The objective of this work is to valorize kembayau fruit by evaluating the characteristics of the oil from the fruit. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics and the lipophilic essential nutrient; the fatty acid composition, vitamin E and beta-carotene content of oils obtained from the peel, pulp and seeds of kembayau fruits were studied.

Reusing colored industrial wastewaters in a photofermentation for enhancing biohydrogen production by using ultrasound stimulated Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

One-time ultrasonication pre-treatment of Rhodobacter sphaeroides was evaluated for improving biohydrogen production via photofermentation. Batch experiments were performed by varying ultrasonication amplitude (15, 30, and 45%) and duration (5, 10, and 15 min) using combined effluents from palm oil as well as pulp and paper mill as a single substrate. Experimental data showed that ultrasonication at amplitude 30% for 10 min (256.

Isolation, characterization and the potential use of starch from jackfruit seed wastes as a coagulant aid for treatment of turbid water.

Fruit wastes constituting up to half of total fruit weight represent a large pool of untapped resources for isolation of starch with diverse applications. In this work, the possibility of isolating starch from tropical fruit wastes and its extended application as a natural coagulant was elucidated. Amongst the 12 various parts of fruit wastes selected, only jackfruit seeds contained more than 50% of total starch content.

Periscope: quantitative prediction of soluble protein expression in the periplasm of Escherichia coli.

Periplasmic expression of soluble proteins in Escherichia coli not only offers a much-simplified downstream purification process, but also enhances the probability of obtaining correctly folded and biologically active proteins. Different combinations of signal peptides and target proteins lead to different soluble protein expression levels, ranging from negligible to several grams per litre. Accurate algorithms for rational selection of promising candidates can serve as a powerful tool to complement with current trial-and-error approaches.

Utilization of plant-based natural coagulants as future alternatives towards sustainable water clarification.

Rapid industrial developments coupled with surging population growth have complicated issues dealing with water scarcity as the quest for clean and sanitized water intensifies globally. Existing fresh water supplies could be contaminated with organic, inorganic and biological matters that have potential harm to the society. Turbidity in general is a measure of water cloudiness induced by such colloidal and suspended matters and is also one of the major criteria in raw water monitoring to meet the stipulated water quality guidelines.

Nutritional compositions and bioactivities of Dacryodes species: a review.

Dacryodes species are evergreen, perennial trees with fleshy fruits and belong to the family Buseraseae. Many Dacryodes species are underutilized but are widely applied in traditional folk medicine to treat malaria, fever and skin diseases. The nutritional compositions, phytochemicals and biological activities of Dacryodes edulis, Dacryodes rostrata, Dacryodes buettneri, Dacryodes klaineana and Dacryodes hexandra are presented.

Towards more accurate prediction of protein folding rates: a review of the existing Web-based bioinformatics approaches.

The understanding of protein-folding mechanisms is often considered to be an important goal that will enable structural biologists to discover the mysterious relationship between the sequence, structure and function of proteins. The ability to predict protein-folding rates without the need for actual experimental work will assist the research work of structural biologists in many ways. Many bioinformatics tools have emerged in the past decade, and each has showcased different features.

Colorimetric quantification of sucrose in presence of thermo-sensitive polymers present in aqueous two-phase systems.

The use of biodegradable material such as simple carbohydrates and recyclable material such as thermo-sensitive polymers is in need to develop a sustainable aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) for the purification of biomolecules. Accurate determination of sucrose concentration is important in liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) study of carbohydrate-based ATPS. The well-established phenol-sulfuric acid method has been widely employed in the measurement of carbohydrate concentration.

Bioinformatics approaches for improved recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli: protein solubility prediction.

The solubility of recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli often represents the production yield. However, up-to-date, instances of successful production of soluble recombinant proteins in E. coli expression system with high yield remain scarce.

Isolation of Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10 with ability to secrete bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance from milk products for applications in food industry.

Background: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be isolated from traditional milk products. LAB that secrete substances that inhibit pathogenic bacteria and are resistant to acid, bile, and pepsin but not vancomycin may have potential in food applications.

Results: LAB isolated from a range of traditional fermented products were screened for the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances.

Comparison of the estimation capabilities of response surface methodology and artificial neural network for the optimization of recombinant lipase production by E. coli BL21.

Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to optimize the effect of four independent variables, viz. glucose, sodium chloride (NaCl), temperature and induction time, on lipase production by a recombinant Escherichia coli BL21. The optimization and prediction capabilities of RSM and ANN were then compared.

Improved mannan-degrading enzymes' production by Aspergillus niger through medium optimization.

The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of mannan-degrading enzymes, focussing on β-mannanase, by Aspergillus niger was investigated using shake flask culture. The β-mannanase activity obtained during growth of A. niger on guar gum (GG, 1495 nkat mL(-1)) was much higher than those observed on other carbon substrates, locust bean gum (1148 nkat mL(-1)), α-cellulose (10.

Optimization of an induction strategy for improving interferon-alpha2b production in the periplasm of Escherichia coli using response surface methodology.

Induction strategies for the periplasmic production of recombinant human IFN-alpha2b (interferon-alpha2b) by recombinant Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami 2(DE3) were optimized in shake-flask cultures using response surface methodology based on the central composite design. The factors included in the present study were induction point, which related to the attenuance of the cell culture, IPTG (isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactoside) concentration and induction temperature. Second-order polynomial models were used to correlate the abovementioned factors to soluble periplasmic IFN-alpha2b formation and percentage of soluble IFN-alpha2b translocated to the periplasmic space of E.