Bioproduction of enzymes for cellulose refining

• Grant number: 13/50652-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: September 01, 2014
• End date: April 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Luana Martins de Andrade da Cruz
• Grantee: Luana Martins de Andrade da Cruz
• Company: Verdartis Desenvolvimento Biotecnológico Ltda. - ME
• City: Ribeirão Preto

Abstract

Enzymes play a central role in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry. Among those used in the pulp and paper segment are xylanases and endoglucanases. These enzymes, when rationally mixed in different proportions, can act both in the refining of virgin cellulose fiber and in the refining of cellulose from recycled paper. Verdatis acts in the development of customized enzymes using PersoZyme technology and seeks the production of both recombinant enzymes on a large scale. Currently, xylanase fermentation process is optimized, yielding about 500,000 IU / L of culture, and it is planned to define the downstream stages in the coming months. Endoglucanase, produced in 3 and 10 liter bioreactors, has a below-feasible enzymatic yield. In order to make the production process competitive, it is proposed, in this project, the application of directed evolution techniques, to increase the expression of the enzyme, and development of fermentation process and purification at bench level in order to reach a low cost product . Once the productivity target of 600,000 IU / L of fermented is reached, it is intended to continue scale-up tests so that the product containing endoglucanase and xylanase reaches the market. An evaluation carried out at the Pulp and Paper Laboratory of Federal University of Viçosa showed that a prototype blend of enzymes produced in company led to a reduction of approximately 30% of energy consumption spent in refining stage. Considering the success of test, the commercial interest of Suzano Papel e Celulose Ltda. company in using the product in paper refining, the interest of QUALISOL Indústria e Comércio de Produtos Químicos in the commercialization of these enzymes and the interest of the company VECTORCONTROL in producing them on an industrial scale, the main objective of the project is to develop a productive process of endoglucanase recombinant material and applied to cellulose refining. The scope of the project includes targeted evolution of the enzyme, stability study of selected recombinant clone, development and optimization of fermentation and purification steps, scale-up of fermentation process and formulation of product containing endoglucanase and xylanase. (AU)