Induction and stabilization of enzymatic activity in microorganisms
AssigneeGeorgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Pierce, Gene Drago, Sangeeta Ganguly
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.
Claims21
A method for inducing desired enzyme activity in a nitrile hydratase producing microorganism comprising culturing the nitrile hydratase producing microorganism in a medium comprising at least about 50 ppm of one or more amide containing amino acids or derivatives thereof.
A method for stabilizing desired activity in an enzyme or a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme comprising contacting the enzyme or microorganism capable of producing the enzyme with a composition comprising at least about 50 ppm of one or more amide containing amino acids, or derivatives thereof.
A method for stabilizing nitrile hydratase comprising immobilizing the nitrile hydratase or microorganism capable of producing the nitrile hydratase with a substrate such that the activity after a time of at least 30 days at a temperature of 25° C. is maintained at a level of at least about 50% of the initial activity exhibited by the nitrile hydratase or the microorganism capable of producing the nitrile hydratase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.