iBB

Oil-in-water miniemulsions display potential for application as a “green” system in the enzymatic alkyl ester synthesis. BERG-iBB researchers led by Luís Fonseca combined miniemulsion systems with medium engineering to increase the yields and produtivity of the cutinase-catalysed synthesis of medium-chain alkyl esters. Enzyme stability and reutilization were tuned by operating in a fed-batch mode, which allowed long-term utilization of the free enzyme. Click on title to learn more.

Photo details: 3D structure of cutinase from F. Solani pisi with catalytic triad in blue (PDB code: 1AGY).

Conventional organic synthesis has greatly contributed to the production of a huge number of molecular precursors of essential materials in modern life. However, these methods are characterized by a strong negative impact when evaluated in terms of sustainability. In the last decade, microwave radiation techniques have been able to perform many of these organic chemistry reactions generally faster, with better yields, and according to the principles of Green Chemistry. In a paper recently published by Luis Fonseca from BERG-iBB and colleagues from university of S. Paulo, silk fibroin fibers functionalized with CuSO4 were tested as a renewable catalyst in combination with microwave radiation to assist Knoveneganel condensation reactions due to its great potential for forming carbon-carbon bonds from a wide range of compounds. Click on title to learn more.