Peroxidase enzyme behavior in different designs of microstructured flat plate reactors and reaction conditions under continuous flow

• Grant number: 23/08453-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira
• Grantee: Frederico Massad Costa
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Peroxidases are enzymes of high commercial value that use peroxides to biocatalyze numerous reactions in the presence of organic and inorganic substrates. Recent studies with peroxidases aim at their application in the environmental area, in view of their ability to biodegrade pollutants. In general, the studies with peroxidases are developed in batch systems, and therefore there is an important gap regarding the application of these reactions in continuous flow. Preliminary studies have already indicated that the reaction dynamics and the three-dimensional protein structure of the enzyme can be modified by changing the processing from batch to continuous mode. In this sense, the present project aims to contribute to the understanding of the behavior of the peroxidase from the fungus Trichoderma in different flow distribution geometries of microstructured reactors and to optimize the operation of the reaction system aiming to maintain the catalytic efficiency. Initially, the enzyme activity will be monitored at the reactor inlet and outlet for three flow distribution geometries of microstructured reactors produced by 3D printing. The residence time distribution will then be studied for the tracers peroxidase and guaiacol (substrate), for fixed feed flow rate. Finally, for previously selected conditions (geometry and flow rate), the behavior of the enzymatic reaction in continuous flow will be optimized, using experimental design. Considering that there are no studies in continuous system operation for fungal peroxidases, this project will contribute to the engineering of sustainable and innovative technologies, with potential application in several areas. Moreover, the design of enzymatic reactors is a growing area in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, aiming to replace conventional processes by others based on biocatalysts.