Industrial Enzymes

Question 1

Enzymes vs chemical catalysts

Answer 1

Significantly faster rates than chemical catalysed reactions

Enzymes catalyse reactions under mild conditions (atm pressure, physiological pH etc) in contrast to chemical catalysts
Enzymes have high degree of specificity with respect to their substrates (reactants) and products. Enzyme reactions rarely yield side products
Enzyme activity is regulated within the cell. Catalytic activity is regulated in response to conc of substances other than their substrates.
Mechanism of control includes allosteric control, chemical modification of the enzyme, varying the amounts of enzyme present in the cell

Question 2

Substrate recognition

Answer 2

Enzymes bind substrates through series of non covalent forces; Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions

Amino acids that form the binding site are arranged to specifically interact with the substrate in a favourable manner

most exhibit some degree of induced fit upon binding the substrate

Question 3

MM Kinetics equation

Answer 3

Vo=Vmax.S/Km+S

where Km is the reaction velocity at half Vmax. It varies with pH, T and enzyme

Question 4

What is the equation of the plot?

Answer 4

1/Vo=(Km/Vmax).(1/S)+1/Vmax

Question 5

Eadie-Hofsee vs MM

Answer 5

EH is more robust against error prone data

Gives equal weight to data points in any range of substrate concentration or reaction velocity

Question 6

How has protein engineering and genetic engineering improved lipolase production?

Answer 6

Improved the properties of detergent lipases 
Substrate specificity
Product stability 
Thermostability
Laundry wash performance

Question 7

Downstream processing involves

Answer 7

Precipitation and liquid liquid extraction

Chromatography (High resolution purification)

Outcome is a purified enzyme which can be used for liquid or solid formation or immobilisation