Enzyme Composition for Cellulosic Hydrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to improve the performance of cellulose-hydrolyzing enzyme systems, as existing methods are not efficient in degrading cellulosic materials effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of an enzyme composition comprising an AA9 polypeptide, catalase, and laccase, with specific sequence identities, which synergistically enhances the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials, allowing for the production of fermentation products by saccharifying and fermenting the materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing enzyme systems are used for cellulose degradation, then the process is simpler, but the hydrolysis efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple enzyme types (AA9 polypeptide, catalase, laccase, and cellulase) into a single synergistic enzyme composition. This merging of different enzymatic functions creates a more effective system for degrading cellulosic materials than using cellulase alone, directly resolving the contradiction by prioritizing hydrolysis efficiency while accepting increased compositional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The enzyme composition functions as a composite catalytic system where different enzyme types work together synergistically. The AA9 polypeptide, catalase, and laccase components create a composite enzyme preparation that achieves superior hydrolysis performance compared to individual enzyme systems, addressing the productivity-contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional cellulase alone is used, then the enzyme composition is simpler, but the degradation performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation performanceVSAvoidenzyme system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges traditional cellulase with additional enzyme components (AA9 polypeptide, catalase, laccase) to create a enhanced enzyme composition. This combination improves degradation reliability and consistency by addressing multiple aspects of cellulosic material structure simultaneously, while the synergistic interaction ensures the added complexity produces measurable performance gains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If more enzyme components are added to improve hydrolysis, then the hydrolysis efficiency increases, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis rateVSAvoidenzyme composition structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific parameters including the protein ratio ranges (AA9 polypeptide to catalase: 0.5:1 to 15:1, AA9 polypeptide to laccase: 3:1 to 150:1) and enzyme concentrations to achieve maximum hydrolysis efficiency. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent ensures that the added enzyme components contribute productively rather than merely increasing complexity without benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The enzyme composition significantly increases the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials, achieving a synergistic effect that enhances the degradation process, leading to efficient production of fermentation products such as ethanol and other biofuels.

Implementation Method 1

Endoglucanases digest the cellulose polymer at random locations, opening it to attack by cellobiohydrolases. Cellobiohydrolases sequentially release molecules of cellobiose from the ends of the cellulose polymer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The enzyme composition comprises an AA9 polypeptide, catalase, and laccase which synergistically enhances the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3052620B1Processes for increasing enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic material
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 NOVOZYMES AS
  • EP3052620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3052620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3052620B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods for increasing hydrolysis of a cellulosic material, comprising: hydrolyzing the cellulosic material with an enzyme composition in the presence of a combination of an AA9 polypeptide and one or more oxidoreductases selected from the group consisting of a catalase, a laccase, and a peroxidase.