Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
2.8
Journals
Processes
Special Issues
Enzymes, Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling Sustainability
share announcement

Enzymes, Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling Sustainability

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis Enhanced Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2700

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Cintia Mariana Romero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI-CONICET), Av. Belgrano y Pasaje Caseros, San Miguel de Tucumán T4001, Argentina
Interests: biocatalysis; enzyme inmobilization; microbial process; enzimatic plastic degradation; biocombustible synthesis; biomaterial design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Enzymes and biocatalysis are pivotal in driving sustainable processes across various sectors, including environmental bioremediation, agro-industries, food production, and pharmaceuticals. The discovery of novel enzymes, often through metagenomics and directed evolution, has expanded the repertoire of catalytic tools capable of operating under diverse conditions. These enzymes enable the efficient transformation of substrates, reducing the need for harsh chemical processes and minimizing environmental impact. The biosynthesis of enzymes through microbial fermentation, often employing genetically engineered microorganisms, has further enhanced their availability and cost-effectiveness. Advances in metabolic engineering have optimized these systems, tailoring enzymes for specific applications and improving yields. This multidisciplinary approach underscores the transformative potential of enzymes and biocatalysis in addressing global sustainability challenges.

Dr. Cintia Mariana Romero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • enzyme
  • biocatalysis
  • metabolic engineering
  • sustainability
  • environmental bioremediation
  • agro-industry
  • food production
  • catalysis
  • biosynthesis
  • microbial fermentation
  • genetically engineered microorganisms

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 3316 KB  
Article
Enhancing Bio-Oil Quality Through Ethyl Esterification Catalyzed by Candida antarctica Lipase B
by Aline Gonçalves Gehrke, Leonardo Pellizzari Wielewski, Vinicyus Rodolfo Wiggers, Vanderleia Botton, David Alexander Mitchell and Nadia Krieger
Processes 2025, 13(12), 4085; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13124085 - 18 Dec 2025
Viewed by 137
Abstract
Fast pyrolysis of vegetable oils and residues generates bio-oil (BO), a renewable hydrocarbon source with high acidity that limits its direct use in refineries. In this study, BOs were produced from refined soybean oil (RSO) and waste cooking oil (WCO) at 525 °C [...] Read more.
Fast pyrolysis of vegetable oils and residues generates bio-oil (BO), a renewable hydrocarbon source with high acidity that limits its direct use in refineries. In this study, BOs were produced from refined soybean oil (RSO) and waste cooking oil (WCO) at 525 °C in a continuous bench-scale pyrolysis at 525 °C, with a 390 ± 8 g h−1 feed rate, under steady-state conditions. The resulting bio-oils exhibited high acidity (acid index of 145 and 127 mg KOH g−1, respectively) and elevated olefinic and oxygen contents, making them corrosive and unsuitable for co-refining with petroleum. To reduce acidity, ethyl esterification was performed using lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB), using a Box–Behnken 33 factorial design. Variables included temperature (40–60 °C), bio-oil:ethanol mass ratio (1:1–1:5), and catalyst concentration (3–10% w/w). The acid index was reduced by up to 76%, with optimal conditions (62 °C, 1:1 mass ratio, 11% CALB) yielding a final value of 28 mg KOH g−1. Similar reductions were obtained for waste cooking oil bio-oil, confirming robustness across feedstocks. CALB retained over 70% activity after three cycles, demonstrating stability. This enzymatic esterification process shows strong potential for lowering bio-oil acidity, enabling integration into petroleum refineries, diversifying feedstocks, and advancing renewable fuel production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enzymes, Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2765 KB  
Article
Enzymatic Potential of Schizophyllum commune BNT39 in BHET Hydrolysis and PET Biodegradation
by Fernando Gabriel Martínez, Verónica Canal Martínez, Claudia Elizabeth Pereira, Federico Zannier, Víctor Gonzalo Arnau, Cintia Mariana Romero and Analía Álvarez
Processes 2025, 13(11), 3663; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113663 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 621
Abstract
The accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the environment demands efficient microbial strategies for its degradation. This study evaluates the biodegradation potential of Schizophyllum commune BNT39 toward bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a major PET intermediate, and PET itself. Clear halos on BHET-agar plates indicated [...] Read more.
The accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the environment demands efficient microbial strategies for its degradation. This study evaluates the biodegradation potential of Schizophyllum commune BNT39 toward bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a major PET intermediate, and PET itself. Clear halos on BHET-agar plates indicated extracellular hydrolytic activity. In liquid culture, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses revealed a three-phase degradation profile characterized by rapid BHET hydrolysis, transient dimer accumulation, and subsequent conversion to terephthalic acid (TPA). BHET was reduced by approximately 96% within seven days, while TPA accumulation reached 0.8 mg/mL after 30 days of incubation. Although PET degradation was limited, TPA was consistently detected as the principal product, with no BHET or MHET intermediates. To explore strategies for enhancing enzymatic activity, apple-derived cutin, PET, BHET, and polycaprolactone (PCL) were tested as inducers. Cutin markedly stimulated extracellular enzyme production, suggesting activation of cutinase-like enzymes. Overall, S. commune BNT39 demonstrates the ability to transform PET-related substrates, with cutin emerging as a promising natural stimulant to enhance enzymatic depolymerization. Future studies should focus on enzyme purification, activity profiling, and reaction optimization near PET’s glass transition temperature, where the polymer becomes more accessible for enzymatic attack. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enzymes, Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 2548 KB  
Article
High-Spermidine-Producing Yeast Strain for Autophagy-Promoting Applications
by Tomoyo Koshizawa, Tomoe Numaguchi, Masanori Tamakoshi, Yuuki Sato, Katsuyuki Hashimoto, Nur Syafiqah Mohamad Ishak and Kazuto Ikemoto
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3141; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103141 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Polyamines, particularly spermidine, have emerged as key dietary factors with roles in cellular health, autophagy, and longevity. However, strategies for scalable production of polyamine-rich food ingredients remain limited. Here, we report the development of a high-spermidine-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, 3L63, obtained via ultraviolet [...] Read more.
Polyamines, particularly spermidine, have emerged as key dietary factors with roles in cellular health, autophagy, and longevity. However, strategies for scalable production of polyamine-rich food ingredients remain limited. Here, we report the development of a high-spermidine-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, 3L63, obtained via ultraviolet mutagenesis of the K7 strain. This strain exhibited a 5.9-fold increase in the total polyamine content, with spermidine being the most abundant. A scalable fermentation system of up to 104 L was established, yielding a dried yeast product that met food safety criteria. Whole-genome sequencing identified mutations in central metabolic pathways, including ARG3, and functional enrichment analysis suggested broad metabolic rewiring, supporting an enhanced biosynthetic capacity, including polyamines. Free amino acid profiling revealed higher arginine levels in 3L63 than in K7, which is consistent with its role as a polyamine precursor. The 3L63 yeast-derived product was enriched in essential amino acids and polyamines. Functionally, this strain promoted the proliferation of normal and senescent human dermal fibroblasts, and its autophagy-inducing activity exceeded that of equivalent concentrations of pure spermidine, suggesting synergistic effects of yeast-derived bioactive compounds. This study demonstrates a non-genetically modified, high-spermidine yeast strain as a promising functional food ingredient with potential applications in healthy aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enzymes, Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop