Industrial Enzyme Technology

Aim

The course gives knowledge about nomenclature, structure, function, activity, stability and other relevant properties of industrially important enzymes, with a focus on parameters that influence enzyme applicability as biocatalysts in industrial processes. The course further provides insight in how novel enzymes with desired activities and properties can be identified, and in techniques for modifying the properties of enzymes for the purpose of efficient use in industrial processes. The course also gives knowledge about methods for determining enzyme properties with respect to e.g. activity, stability and activity lifetime under different conditions. In addition, the course provides knowledge about industrial processes that today, or in the future, use enzymes, and provides insight about requirements on enzymes and/or the process being used.

After the course the student should:

• Be able to account for the fundamental principles that are decisive for efficient use of enzymes in industrial processes.
• Be able to account for how enzymes are used in a wide spectrum of industrial or related processes, and how novel enzymes can be identified or modified for such processes.
• Independently be able to assess the conditions for an industrial process in which enzymes are used or are to be used, with respect to applicability both from an engineering/biotechnological perspective and a sustainability perspective.
• Be able to present relevant analyzes and evaluations of enzyme properties and applicability under given conditions and, based on these, present a plan for an application in a technical report.

Content

Theory: Enzyme structure and function, including enzyme catalysis. Commonly used enzymes in industrial biotechnology. Enzyme stability and inactivation mechanisms. General methods for large scale production, purification, activation and formulation of enzyme products. Methods for bioprospecting of novel industrial enzymes. Methods for genetic engineering of enzymes for the purpose of reaching desired properties. Methods for measuring the activity of enzymes. Fundamental regulatory demands for the use of enzymes in industrial processes.

The course will provide knowledge about industrial applications of enzymes, for the purpose of guiding the students in coming studies or work life. Enzymes are used today, and will in the future be used, in many industrial sectors, of which the following are of special importance:

• Food and feed industry
• Biofuels production
• In vitro biotransformation of small molecules (active pharmaceutical ingredients)
• Environmental biotechnology
• Pulp and paper industry
• Textile and leather industry

Laboratory work: Determination of activity, stability and lifetime under different conditions of industrially relevant enzymes, including an analysis and report on what the obtained data signify with respect to industrial applicability.