Kinetic properties of Rhizopus oryzae RPG1 endo-polygalacturonase hydrolyzing galacturonic acid oligomers

Authors: Mertens, Jeffrey; Bowman, Michael

Submitted to: Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2015
Publication Date: 1/5/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62516
Citation: Mertens, J.A., Bowman, M.J. 2016. Kinetic properties of Rhizopus oryzae RPG1 endo-polygalacturonase hydrolyzing galacturonic acid oligomers. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 5:11-16. doi: 10.1016/j.bcab.2015.12.005.

Interpretive Summary: Future fuel and specialty chemical production will benefit from the use of agricultural biomass. Efficient and effective use of agricultural biomass requires conversion to simple sugars by chemical pre-treatments and enzymes into simple sugars. Rhizopus oryzae, a filamentous fungus, makes enzymes called endo-polygalacturonases that are successful in the conversion of pectin into simple sugars. Polygalacturonase enzymes are also of strong interest due to use in clarifying fruit juices, textile production, and their role in damage to economically important crops. In this work the affinity and activity towards complex sugars of Rhizopus endo-polygalacturonase is determined. This work aids in a greater understanding of how these enzymes breakdown complex sugars found in agricultural biomass and enables engineering and development of more effective enzymes for the production of fuels and specialty chemicals.

Technical Abstract: Future fuel and specialty chemical production will benefit from the use of agricultural biomass. Efficient and effective use of agricultural biomass requires conversion to simple sugars by chemical pre-treatments and enzymes into simple sugars. Rhizopus oryzae, a filamentous fungus, makes enzymes called endo-polygalacturonases that are successful in the conversion of pectin into simple sugars. Polygalacturonase enzymes are also of strong interest due to use in clarifying fruit juices, textile production, and their role in damage to economically important crops. In this work the affinity and activity towards complex sugars of Rhizopus endo-polygalacturonase is determined. This work aids in a greater understanding of how these enzymes breakdown complex sugars found in agricultural biomass and enables engineering and development of more effective enzymes for the production of fuels and specialty chemicals.