Enzyme-Catalyzed Process

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This patent describes an enzyme-catalyzed process that uses at least one ionic liquid as a solvent, in which enzymes isolated from fungi of the Aspergillus genus (or mixtures thereof) are employed. Importantly, the invention demonstrates that such enzymes, particularly cellulases from Aspergillus species, retain high activity and stability in ionic liquids—solvents which can efficiently dissolve otherwise hard-to-process materials like cellulose. This allows the efficient enzymatic transformation of polysaccharides, including cellulose, into simpler sugars or other products, even under solvent conditions that would inactivate other enzymes.

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• Production of biofuels (e.g., bioethanol) from cellulose or other biomass by enzymatic hydrolysis in ionic liquids.
• Industrial-scale saccharification of polysaccharide materials for pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals.
• Processing of cellulose-containing waste into valuable monomeric sugars.
• Development of enzyme/ionic liquid kits for biotechnological or biochemical processes.
• Enhanced enzyme-catalyzed reactions in polar organic environments, especially for substrates otherwise insoluble in water.

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• Enables efficient enzymatic conversion of cellulose and other tough polysaccharides in ionic liquids, which can dissolve such materials far better than water.
• The use of Aspergillus-derived enzymes maintains activity and stability in ionic solvents that typically inactivate other enzymes or cellulases, making the process industrially viable.
• Allows for processing of otherwise recalcitrant biomass resources into valuable products such as biofuels, therapeutic compounds, or specialty chemicals.
• Reduces the limitations imposed by substrate solubility or enzyme compatibility in traditional biocatalytic processes, enabling broader application in green chemistry and bioprocessing.
• Provides formulations, compositions, and kits for user-friendly implementation in biotech or industrial settings.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to an enzyme-catalyzed method in the presence of at least one ionic liquid as solvent, to a composition containing at least one ionic liquid and at least one enzyme isolated from Aspergillus spec. or an enzyme mixture or protein mixture isolated from Aspergillus spec. and also to the use of at least one enzyme isolated from Aspergillus spec. or at least one enzyme mixture or protein mixture isolated from Aspergillus spec. for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction of substances dissolved in an ionic liquid, which substances are selected from disaccharides or trisaccharides, polysaccharides, polysaccharide-containing materials or mixtures of said compounds.