Microbial Enzymes in Production of Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals

Microbial enzymes play a crucial role in functional food and nutraceutical production, facilitating processes like protein breakdown, sugar conversion, and chiral drug synthesis. Various microbial sources and processing techniques are employed to enhance enzyme properties and activity. Molecular techniques are also used to improve their efficiency and specificity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Microbial enzymes play a vital role in the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals, offering a wide range of applications. These enzymes, including proteases, pullulanases, and lipases, are essential in breaking down complex food components and facilitating their absorption by the body. Various microbial sources, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast, are utilized for enzyme production, employing diverse processing techniques such as fermentation and immobilization.

One of the significant applications of microbial enzymes is in the synthesis of chiral drug intermediates. Chiral compounds are crucial in the pharmaceutical industry, as they possess the ability to interact with biological molecules in specific ways. Microbial enzymes, particularly those with specific stereoselectivity, can be employed to catalyze the production of these complex molecules, enhancing the efficiency and yield of the synthesis process.

In recent years, molecular techniques have been employed to improve the properties and ability of microbial enzymes. These techniques include genetic engineering, which allows for the modification of enzyme genes to enhance their catalytic efficiency or substrate specificity. Additionally, protein engineering techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and domain swapping, can be used to modify enzyme structures and improve their stability and activity.

Furthermore, emerging technologies such as single-cell analysis and metagenomics have provided new insights into the diversity and functionality of microbial communities. These techniques enable the identification of novel enzymes with unique properties, which can be exploited for various industrial applications.

In conclusion, microbial enzymes have significant potential in the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Their ability to break down complex food components, synthesize chiral drug intermediates, and be improved through molecular techniques makes them valuable tools in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As research continues to advance, it is anticipated that microbial enzymes will play an increasingly important role in addressing global food security, health, and sustainability challenges.
Microbial enzymes are crucial in the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals, offering a wide range of applications. These enzymes, including proteases, pullulanases, and lipases, are essential in breaking down complex food components and facilitating their absorption by the body. Various microbial sources, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast, are utilized for enzyme production, employing diverse processing techniques such as fermentation and immobilization.

One of the significant applications of microbial enzymes is in the synthesis of chiral drug intermediates. Chiral compounds are crucial in the pharmaceutical industry, as they possess the ability to interact with biological molecules in specific ways. Microbial enzymes, particularly those with specific stereoselectivity, can be employed to catalyze the production of these complex molecules, enhancing the efficiency and yield of the synthesis process.

In recent years, molecular techniques have been employed to improve the properties and ability of microbial enzymes. These techniques include genetic engineering, which allows for the modification of enzyme genes to enhance their catalytic efficiency or substrate specificity. Additionally, protein engineering techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and domain swapping, can be used to modify enzyme structures and improve their stability and activity.

Furthermore, emerging technologies such as single-cell analysis and metagenomics have provided new insights into the diversity and functionality of microbial communities. These techniques enable the identification of novel enzymes with unique properties, which can be exploited for various industrial applications.

In conclusion, microbial enzymes have significant potential in the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Their ability to break down complex food components, synthesize chiral drug intermediates, and be improved through molecular techniques makes them valuable tools in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As research continues to advance, it is anticipated that microbial enzymes will play an increasingly important role in addressing global food security, health, and sustainability challenges.

Weight: 748g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032317564