Chimeric Enzyme Decomposition of Soft Biomass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for decomposing soft biomass like bagasse and rice straw are inefficient due to the presence of impurities, requiring pretreatment and separate saccharification and fermentation steps, which complicates the production of useful substances such as ethanol.

Innovation Solution

A method involving specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase enzymes with defined amino acid sequences is used to directly decompose soft biomass, allowing for the production of ethanol without pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional enzymes are used for decomposing soft biomass, then decomposition can occur, but the efficiency is low due to impurities in the biomass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme activity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the enzyme system by creating chimeric enzymes with altered amino acid sequences. Specifically, endocellulase from Aspergillus aculeatus is fused with cellobiohydrolase from Trichoderma reesei, creating a hybrid enzyme with new catalytic properties that can effectively decompose cellulose in soft biomass despite the presence of impurities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite enzyme systems by fusing different enzymatic functions into single chimeric proteins. The endocellulase-cellobiohydrolase fusion creates a composite catalyst that combines endoglucanase activity with exoglucanase activity, enabling synergistic decomposition of crystalline and amorphous cellulose regions in soft biomass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If pretreatment methods are applied to enhance saccharification, then decomposition efficiency improves, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaccharification efficiencyVSAvoidprocess steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the saccharification and fermentation processes into a single simultaneous operation. Engineered microorganisms express chimeric cellulase enzymes that directly convert cellulose in soft biomass to fermentable sugars and subsequently to target products like ethanol, eliminating the need for separate pretreatment and saccharification steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chimeric enzymes designed in the patent possess multiple functions within a single protein structure. The fusion of endocellulase and cellobiohydrolase domains creates an enzyme that can simultaneously perform endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities, making the system universally effective for decomposing various cellulose structures in soft biomass without requiring multiple different enzymes or pretreatment steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If chimeric enzymes are constructed to improve decomposition capability, then enzyme activity increases, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition capabilityVSAvoidenzyme production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex enzyme production process by using modular genetic construction. The chimeric enzyme is created by fusing specific gene sequences (endocellulase gene from Aspergillus aculeatus with cellobiohydrolase gene from Trichoderma reesei) in a controlled manner, allowing for systematic optimization of each domain while maintaining overall manufacturability through standard molecular biology techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables effective decomposition and fermentation of soft biomass, producing ethanol directly and efficiently, with the enzymes acting specifically to break down cellulose in soft biomass types like bagasse and rice straw.

Implementation Method 1

a method involving specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase enzymes with defined amino acid sequences is used to directly decompose soft biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

allowing for the production of ethanol without pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS9957538B2Soft biomass decomposition method

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a soft biomass decomposition method, a production method for a target substance from soft biomass, and an enzyme or group of enzymes for decomposing soft biomass. Provided is a soft biomass decomposition method, including a step of bringing an enzyme selected from specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase into contact with soft biomass such as bagasse and rice straw. Also provided is a production method for a target substance from soft biomass by incorporating the soft biomass decomposition method as a step. Further provided is an enzyme or group of enzymes for decomposing soft biomass selected from specific exocellulase, endocellulase, and processive endocellulase.