Cellulases are robust biocatalysts that offer applications in industrial bioprocesses, such as catalytic hydrolysis, biopolishing, enhancing the softness of the fabric, increasing the digestibility ...of cereal-based food, bioconversion, and biotransformation of cellulosic materials to fermentable sugars, enzymatic deinking, bio-pulping, clarification of fruit juices, etc. However, like many other enzymes, cellulases also encounter instability, low recovery, thermal denaturation, and recyclability. To address these concerns, immobilization has become a robust approach to retain the enzyme’s activity and lessen production costs. Nanobiocatalysts have been used as potential nano-carriers both in single and multienzyme complexes. With the contribution of nanotechnology, several precisely advanced polymers have been designed that serve as perfect support carriers/matrices for immobilizing enzymes. These nano-supported catalysts exhibit exclusive physicochemical, mechanical, and practical features which depolymerize the cellulose and reinforce its efficiency for varied applications. The nanoparticles can be linked to the enzyme in multiple ways, including direct conjugation to the NPs surface, electrostatic adsorption, coupling using the specific affinity of proteins, and covalent attachment to surface-modified NPs. The work emphasizes the characteristics and applications of chitosan, alginates, silica gel, cross-linking enzyme aggregates, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and hybrid nanosupports as excellent materials for cellulase immobilization. The work further provides an insight into industrially related potential applications of immobilized cellulases.
Nanobiocatalysis is a new technique that blends biotechnology with nanotechnology to deliver exciting benefits in bioprocessing applications, such as increased enzyme activity, capacity, stability, ...and engineering performance. Immobilized enzymes are spatially confined in a particular location where they can keep their catalytic activity and be employed repeatedly. Recent breakthroughs in nano-biotechnology have opened several opportunities for embedding natural biocatalysts into a variety of nanostructures with different features. These nanoparticles (NPs) have additional properties that enzymes do not have in their native condition. Nanomaterials for enzyme delivery and novel catalytic structures with interplaying characteristics and functionality have propelled this field to new heights, with important biotechnological consequences in the coming years. The current review discusses advances in nanostructured materials, such as nanofibers, nanoporous carriers, hybrid nanoflowers, and nanocomposites, as carriers for the immobilization of various enzymes to build nanobiocatalysts with promising stability and activity, as well as current challenges and future trends.
Bio-nanocomposites-based packaging materials have gained significance due to their prospective application in rising areas of packaged food. This research aims to fabricate biodegradable packaging ...films based upon polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and starch integrated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or organic additives. MOFs offer unique features in terms of surface area, mechanical strength, and chemical stability, which make them favourable for supporting materials used in fabricating polymer-based packaging materials. zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are one of the potential candidates for this application due to their highly conductive network with a large surface area and high porosity. Present research illustrates a model system based on ZIF-67 (C8H10N4Co) bearing 2–10 wt.% loading in a matrix of PVA/starch blend with or without pyrolysis to probe the function of intermolecular interaction in molecular packing, tensile properties, and glass transition process. ZIF-67 nanoparticles were doped in a PVA/starch mixture, and films were fabricated using the solution casting method. It was discovered through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that addition of ZIF-67 and pyrolyzed ZIF-67 changed and enhanced the thermal stability of the membrane. Moreover, 2–10 wt.% loading of ZIF-67 effected the thermal stability, owing to an interlayer aggregation of ZIF-67. The membranes containing pyrolyzed ZIF-67 showed mechanical strength in the order of 25 MPa in a moderate loading of pyrolyzed ZIF-67 (i.e., at 4 wt.%). The crystallinity enhanced by an increment in ZIF-67 loading. On the other hand, pyrolyzed ZIF-67 carbon became amorphous because of the inert environment and elevated temperature. The surface area also increased after the pyrolysis, which helped to increase the strength of the composite films.
The cosmetics industry has boomed in recent years as one of the markets that holds enormous growth potential. Among several industrial sectors, the cosmetics industry has considered ...nanotechnology-based principles and implemented in product management practices. Out of 1000 registered products available on the global market, up to 13% were referred to as products for cosmetic use. A large number of nanoscale materials with unique physicochemical properties are currently being used in the cosmetics formulations or recommended for future use as nano-systems or novel nanocarriers to encapsulate active ingredients for their efficient delivery through the skin barriers. These nano-systems have demonstrated potential in targeted-oriented drug delivery and offered remarkable features such as better stability, site-specificity, excellent encapsulation efficiency, prolonged action, enhanced skin penetration, and high drug-loading capability. Nevertheless, nanotoxicology research has raised concerns over the excessive use of nanomaterials/nanoparticles in cosmetics, as nanoparticles might enter the skin resulting in health problems. This review provides insights on the characteristic physicochemical features and the potential use of various nanostructured materials, including liposomes, noisome, nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials (graphene, fullerenes), carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, and nanospheres in cosmeceuticals. Moreover, the regulatory aspects of nanomaterials in cosmetics, along with concluding remarks and outlook in this field, were also vetted.
Immobilized enzyme-based catalytic constructs could greatly improve various industrial processes due to their extraordinary catalytic activity and reaction specificity. In recent decades, ...nano-enzymes, defined as enzyme immobilized on nanomaterials, gained popularity for the enzymes’ improved stability, reusability, and ease of separation from the biocatalytic process. Thus, enzymes can be strategically incorporated into nanostructured materials to engineer nano-enzymes, such as nanoporous particles, nanofibers, nanoflowers, nanogels, nanomembranes, metal–organic frameworks, multi-walled or single-walled carbon nanotubes, and nanoparticles with tuned shape and size. Surface-area-to-volume ratio, pore-volume, chemical compositions, electrical charge or conductivity of nanomaterials, protein charge, hydrophobicity, and amino acid composition on protein surface play fundamental roles in the nano-enzyme preparation and catalytic properties. With proper understanding, the optimization of the above-mentioned factors will lead to favorable micro-environments for biocatalysts of industrial relevance. Thus, the application of nano-enzymes promise to further strengthen the advances in catalysis, biotransformation, biosensing, and biomarker discovery. Herein, this review article spotlights recent progress in nano-enzyme development and their possible implementation in different areas, including biomedicine, biosensors, bioremediation of industrial pollutants, biofuel production, textile, leather, detergent, food industries and antifouling.
Use of organic acids for promoting heavy metals phytoextraction is gaining worldwide attention. The present study investigated the influence of citric acid (CA) in enhancing copper (Cu) uptake by ...Brassica napus L. seedlings. 6 Weeks old B. napus seedlings were exposed to different levels of copper (Cu, 0, 50 and 100µM) alone or with CA (2.5mM) in a nutrient medium for 40 days. Exposure to elevated Cu levels (50 and 100µM) significantly reduced the growth, biomass production, chlorophyll content, gas exchange attributes and soluble proteins of B. napus seedlings. In addition, Cu toxicity increased the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) in leaf and root tissues of B. napus. Activities of antioxidant enzymes such as guaiacol peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalases (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in root and shoot tissues of B. napus were increased in response to lower Cu concentration (50µM) but increased under higher Cu concentration (100µM). Addition of CA into nutrient medium significantly alleviated Cu toxicity effects on B. napus seedlings by improving photosynthetic capacity and ultimately plant growth. Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in CA-treated plants seems to play a role in capturing of stress-induced reactive oxygen species as was evident from lower level of H2O2, MDA and EL in CA-treated plants. Increasing Cu concentration in the nutrient medium significantly increased Cu concentration in in B. napus tissues. Cu uptake was further increased by CA application. These results suggested that CA might be a useful strategy for increasing phytoextraction of Cu from contaminated soils.
•Citric acid application alleviated Cu toxicity in Brassica napus L. plants.•Exogenous Citric acid enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and mitigated disorders caused by Cu stress.•Citric acid could be a candidate for enhanced Cu uptake in Brassica plants.•Brassica napus L. plants are efficient in remediating heavy metal contaminated media.
Salinity is a leading threat to crop growth throughout the world. Salt stress induces altered physiological processes and several inhibitory effects on the growth of cereals, including wheat ...(Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we determined the effects of salinity on five spring and five winter wheat genotypes seedlings. We evaluated the salt stress on root and shoot growth attributes, i.e., root length (RL), shoot length (SL), the relative growth rate of root length (RGR-RL), and shoot length (RGR-SL). The ionic content of the leaves was also measured. Physiological traits were also assessed, including stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content index (CCI), and light-adapted leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, i.e., the quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv′/Fm′) and instantaneous chlorophyll fluorescence (Ft). Physiological and growth performance under salt stress (0, 100, and 200 mol/L) were explored at the seedling stage. The analysis showed that spring wheat accumulated low Na+ and high K+ in leaf blades compared with winter wheat. Among the genotypes, Sakha 8, S-24, W4909, and W4910 performed better and had improved physiological attributes (gs, Fv′/Fm′, and Ft) and seedling growth traits (RL, SL, RGR-SL, and RGR-RL), which were strongly linked with proper Na+ and K+ discrimination in leaves and the CCI in leaves. The identified genotypes could represent valuable resources for genetic improvement programs to provide a greater understanding of plant tolerance to salt stress.
The modification of lignin is recognized as an important aspect of the successful refining of lignocellulosic biomass. Schizophyllum commune, a white rot basidiomycete was studied for ligninolytic ...enzymes (manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase and laccase) production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) of rice straw. Various physiological factors such as incubation time, culture pH, incubation temperature, C:N ratio and addition of mediators were optimized to enhance enzymes productivity. Maximum enzyme recoveries were obtained at pH, 5.0; temperature, 35°C; C:N ratio, 20:1; mediator, MnSO4; inoculum size, 4mL after incubation time of 144h. The crude ligninolytic extract thus produced was used for delignification of various agro-industrial residues. The enzyme extract caused 61.7%, 47.5%, 72.3% and 67.2% lignin removal from banana stalk, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat straw, respectively. The optimally delignified substrate was enzymatically digested by crude cellulase extract from Trichoderma harzaianum that resulted 47.3% and 69.4% cellulose hydrolysis from the native and pre-treated bagasse, respectively. The results suggested that lignocellulosic waste could be utilized as low-cost substrate for the production of enzymes which play significant role in many industrial and biotechnological sectors.
Ligninolytic enzymes are potential candidates in whitening cosmetics because of their high melanin decolorization potential. Lignin peroxidase (LiP) owns a special place in dermatology and ...cosmetology industries among ligninolytic enzymes due to its comparatively high redox potential than other enzymes. The unpurified LiPs after fungal fermentation are commonly studied in cosmetics formulations due to difficulties in enzyme purification. The deconstruction potential of LiP could be attributed to the versatility of substrates, including both non-phenolic and phenolic compounds and xenobiotics. The exploration of ligninolytic enzymes for potential biotechnological applications has commonly been reported over the years. This review aimed to summarize the futuristic applications and current functionalities of ligninolytic enzymes in modern cosmetics formulations as a skin-lightening agent through melanin decolorization applications. Studies suggest high throughput applications of LiP in the cosmetic sector, where it has the potential to replace hydroquinone and other skin-lightening agents whose safety has resulted in controversies. Moreover, pigmentation disorders such as hyperpigmentation could be treated in a sustainable manner using such enzyme-based approaches.
Graphic Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the influence of microwave irradiation on the physical and functional properties of starch extracted from Nelumbo nucifera seed flour. The seed flour was ...obtained by manual grinding of seeds and irradiated at different microwave treatment time, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5min at the low-medium intensity. The starch was extracted in distilled water and dried at room temperature using a vacuum desiccator. The morphology, crystal structure, and surface parameters of starch granules were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface analysis techniques. The functional properties of starch were also determined in terms of water and oil holding capacity, swelling capacity, emulsifying activity and gelling ability. Evidently, crystallinity, surface area and pore volume of starch granules were found to be increased, while particle size and average pore size were decreased as a function of microwave treatment time. The microwave-induced variations in physical parameters significantly affected the functional properties of starch. A significant (p>0.05) exponential decrease in extraction yield and gelling ability, while an exponential increase in the functional properties of starch with increase in the microwave treatment time (R2=0.915–0.985) was recorded.
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