BR-102024017441-A2 - Chemoenzymatic catalysts and methods of their preparation.

Abstract

This description refers to a catalyst in the form of an enzyme immobilized on an inorganic niobium support. This description also discloses processes for obtaining such catalysts from lipases of Thermomyces lanuginosus and Candida antarctica and from niobium oxides.

Inventors

• EVELIN ANDRADE MANOEL

Assignees

• UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20240825

Claims (2)

1. 1. Catalyst in the form of an enzyme immobilized on an inorganic support, characterized as described in the descriptive report.
2. 2. Process for preparing the catalyst in the form of an enzyme immobilized on an inorganic support according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the steps described in the descriptive report.

Description

DESCRIPTION FIELD [0001] The present description is from the field of biotechnology, as well as bioeconomy and environmental preservation, since it uses inorganic waste from Mineralogy for the preparation and development of chemo-enzymatic biocatalysts. The present invention applies to the fields of chemistry and biotechnology, which can be used to catalyze organic and inorganic molecules, or acting in the reuse of industrial waste, with implications in the areas of health, chemistry and environmental sciences (possible products that can be obtained: plastics, detergents, biodiesel, prostheses, polyester, organic cements for civil construction). FUNDAMENTALS OF DESCRIPTION [0002] The field of biocatalysis has been gaining more industrial space because it is associated with sustainable manufacturing and is an alternative to conventional chemical processes. When compared to a traditional chemical process, the enzymatic process is considered highly efficient and enantioselective, capable of reducing reaction time, the amount of non-biodegradable waste and energy costs, since the reactions occur at lower temperatures. [0003] Currently, the preparation of chemical inputs, such as esters and acids in industry, occurs chemically and, for the most part, under extreme conditions. An example would be the use of chemical catalysts such as palladium. Processes of this type are questionable in their industrial implementation, often requiring, for example, reaction conditions with the use of high pressure and temperature (>70 °C). The products prepared by these processes may have a characteristic odor, which hinders their acceptability by the user, even after conventional refining. Therefore, current systems are less sustainable, the products are of low purity and quality, and the yield is also low. [0004] The production of chemo-enzymatic biocatalysts from inorganic material, derived from niobium oxides, is a sustainable and economical alternative, given that Brazil possesses approximately 98% of the world's reserves of this inorganic material, which is often not reused to its full potential. [0005] In the present invention, inorganic niobium oxide materials are employed as supports for enzyme immobilization, for the construction of chemoenzymatic biocatalysts. These enzymes can be used in their native isoform, or engineered with genetic modification to increase the turnover number (TON), for the production of various biotechnological products. STATE OF THE ART [0006] The state of the art comprises different catalysts composed of enzymes immobilized on organic and inorganic supports, with the purpose of obtaining stable enzymatic catalysts that can be recovered after catalysis processes. The state of the art also deals with different methods for obtaining such catalysts. [0007] Patent document JP2001161360 discloses an immobilized lipase in which the lipase is immobilized on a gel fiber composed of a cellulose derivative and a polyvalent metal alkoxide. Among the embodiments of cellulose derivatives are ethylcellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrocellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose; the polyvalent metal alkoxides may be silicon, titanium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum or hafnium alkoxides. The document also discloses a method for producing an organic compound comprising carrying out a hydrolysis, esterification or transesterification reaction using such immobilized lipase as a catalyst. The catalyst preparation method comprises the following steps: preparing a cellulose acetate solution (5 to 30%) in acetone, adding lipase, and dripping or extruding a titanium alkoxide solution (1 to 30%) in acetone onto the solution containing cellulose and lipase; after a period of 30 minutes, the gel formed is collected and washed with acetone or ethanol, immersed in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) for 24 hours, and washed with water. The concentration of lipase immobilized in this gel matrix is 2 to 10% by weight. [0008] Patent document KR20180041065 discloses a crosslinking immobilization method for immobilizing enzymes on a porous support. In one embodiment, a carbonic anhydrase is immobilized on a commercial porous magnetic support. [0009] Therefore, chemoenzymatic catalysts composed of a lipase and an inorganic niobium oxide support as disclosed in the present description are not disclosed in the state of the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0010] One of the objectives of this description is to disclose chemoenzymatic catalysts composed of an enzyme immobilized in an inorganic matrix of niobium oxide. [0011] It is also one of the objectives of this description to reveal processes for obtaining such catalysts from inorganic waste from the mining sector, such as from the Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining Company (CBMM). [0012] The objectives of this description are achieved by catalysts composed of a combination of a lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (LTL) or Candida antarctica (CAL