Functional Derivation of (Hemi)-cellulosic Plant Biomass by Novel Gluco-Oligosaccharide Oxidases
Project Number
1612
Description
Background
GOOX is a novel gluco-oligosacchride oxidase with unique substrate properties.
The Problem & Market Opportunity
Renewable energy as supplied by biorefineries utilizing plant-biomasses will help meet global energy demands for the foreseeable future. The global biorefinery market is expected to exceed $150 billion by 20121. Co-products derived from waste and non-consumable biomass offer a means to extract greater value from the biorefining process. The global market for biopolymers, bioplastics and specialty chemicals produced by biorefineries is projected to exceed $50 billion by 20121. Enzymes that aid in the chemical conversion of plant fibers to bio-chemical products are quickly becoming in demand.
In the process of manufacturing biopolymers, bioplastics and specialty chemicals from plant biomass, enzymatic oxidation of plant-derived oligosaccharides and polysaccharides can be performed as an initial step to subsequent chemical transformation. Oxidation of plant oligo- and polysaccharides allows for valuable downstream modifications of the plant material which include, but are not limited to, reductive amination and carboxylation. The initial enzymatic step enables regioselective modification of highly functionalized sugar substrates, which alleviates the need to chemically protect particular hydroxyl groups and minimizes loss in degree of polymerization of the substrate; further increasing yields while decreasing the cost of manufacturing.
Dr. Emma Master at the University of Toronto has discovered, characterized and engineered novel gluco-oligosaccharide oxidases (GOOX) with the ability to oxidize -1,4-linked sugars for synthetic modification of plant-derived hemicellulose and cellulose.
The Invention
A provisional patent has been filed with the USPTO covering compositions of matter and uses related to GOOX derived from Acremonium strictum and related engineered variants. The invention includes engineered mutants with unique substrate activities. The enzymes can be expressed and easily isolated – making this technology idea for industrial scaling.
The Business Opportunity
Strategies to extract greater value from plant biomasses will depend on the discovery and use of enzymes possessing novel, yet highly specific activities. The GOOX enzyme and related engineered derivatives as described in our patent has the ability to detect and oxidize oligomeric sugars, and the potential to create high-value biochemicals and biopolymers from hemicellulose and cellulose extracted from plant biomasses.
