IMMOBILIZATION OF CELLULASES ON NANOMAGNETIC SUPPORTS FOR BIOMASS DECOMPOSITION

• Grant number: 24/05789-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Caterina Gruenwaldt Cunha Marques Netto
• Grantee: Mariana Martinussi de Godoy
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cellulases are enzymes that play an important role in the degradation of cellulose, one of the main components of plant cell walls. Cellulose is a macromolecule formed by chains of glucose linked by hydrogen bonds, which makes it resistant to breakdown by both mechanical and chemical processes. However, cellulases can break these bonds, making the conversion of cellulose into glucose and other products simple. As a result, they have several relevant applications, especially in the biofuel and food industries, paper manufacturing, and waste treatment. However, their low stability to environmental variations hinders large-scale application, necessitating some optimizations. Thus, immobilization emerges as a promising alternative, capable of increasing enzyme stability and reducing the risk of contamination of the final product, making it possible to separate them from the reaction environment. In this regard, the aim of this work is to propose the immobilization of cellulase using magnetic nanoparticles as support, evaluating the influence of particle size and coating to maintain their catalytic activity.