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Nathan Hart, Khyati Patel, Khusbu Patel, Wali Haamid, and Dr. Gopeekrishnan Sreenilayam, Department of Chemistry, Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St., Valdosta GA 31698 Dr. Brandy Sreenilayam, Department of Biochemistry, PCOM South Georgia, 2050 Tallokas Road, Moultrie GA 31768
Biocatalysis, unlike traditional organic synthesis, allows us to perform organic reactions which are both selective as well as environmentally friendly, showing promise for possible future industrial applications. Biocatalytic reactions are performed either using whole cells or solely the purified enzyme of interest as catalyst. However, the use of whole cells as catalyst as opposed to the purified enzyme is more attractive economically – as the whole cell is a more convenient and less expensive source of the enzyme of interest, making it possible to skip the entire process of isolating and purifying the enzyme from the cell itself and the addition of specific cofactors which are essential for optimal enzymatic activity. Furthermore, it is possible to reuse whole cells for multiple runs of the same reaction, making it possible to recycle the catalyst and reduce reaction costs as well. One of the simplest ways of allowing for the easy recycling of cells (and thereby the catalyst) is to immobilize the cells in some form. In this project, the non-natural reactivity of engineered myoglobin will be measured by means of E. Coli cells containing engineered sperm whale myoglobin immobilized in alginate cell beads undergoing a cyclopropination reaction. The reaction’s stereoselectivity and percent conversion will act as a benchmark to assess the activity of the cell beads. The stability and activity of the cell beads will be further explored in non-aqueous solvents such as deep eutectic solvents (DES). Further knowledge of the effects of both solvent types (aqueous vs. DES) and the recyclability of the E. coli cell beads is crucial for the application of these cells in future industrial biocatalytical processes.
Presenters: Nathan Hart, Khyati Patel
Institution: Valdosta State University
Type: Poster
Subject: Chemistry
Status: Approved
