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: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 630

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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

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Keywords

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

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

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
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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
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