BioMatNet Item: AIR2-CT94-1345 - Exploitation of microbial pectinolytic enzyme specificity in pectin manufacturing and other agro-industrial processes

AIR2-CT94-1345
Exploitation of microbial pectinolytic enzyme specificity in pectin manufacturing and other agro-industrial processes

Contacts
Further Information

	Contract No	AIR2-CT94-1345
	Total Cost	1 486 371
	EC Contribution	1 063 660
	Start Date	01/09/1994
	Duration	48 months

SUMMARY

Pectin is one of the components of plant cell walls, occurring in some abundance in citrus fruit, for example, from which it may be extracted for use as a food ingredient. Conversely, pectin degrading enzymes may be used to remove particulate matter in clarification of juices and beverages as well as finding many other applications in the food industry. The purpose of this project is to investigate the nature and function of these enzymes at the molecular level as well as with respect of industrial applications.

OBJECTIVES

Pectinolytic enzymes are widely applied in the agro-food industry. However, this is the first time that these important enzymes and substrates are investigated in combination at the molecular level. The skills of the partners involved complement each other in a unique way, and combine expertise in the biochemistry and molecular genetics of pectin modifying and degrading enzymes (partners 01, 02), in x-ray crystallography (partner 03), in carbohydrate chemistry (partner 04), in the structural analysis of pectin and enzymatically obtained pectin degradation products (partner 05), and in various applications (partner 05, 06).

The project will focus on:

The overproduction of individual fungal and bacterial pectinolytic enzymes both by genetic manipulation and by proper management of microbial physiology.
Characterization of enzyme specificity, by thorough kinetic analysis (pH-, T-profiles; oligomeric, polymeric substrates; subsites; mode of action; enzyme inhibition using inhibitors designed from oligogalacturonates); and supported by enzyme structural data.
Analysis of the fine-structure of different pectins in relation to enzyme specificity.
Analysis of pectin degradation in situ.

Application studies involve two different industries and are directed:

To improve product quality, to develop new products (novel pectins, oligosaccharides) and to reduce environmental problems.
To improve protopectin extraction.
To improve fruit and vegetable processing (extraction yield, clarification, liquefaction, maceration).
To increase the nutritional efficiency of raw material and to incorporate previously unsuitable materials into animal feed.
A further spin-off comes from the synthesis of specific pectinase inhibitors as potential plant-protecting agents and to enzymatically convert and upgrade agricultural biomass and waste preparing carbohydrate mixtures as feed stocks for fermentation and chemical industries.

Contacts

Coordinator

Jaap VISSER / Wageningen Agricultural University Sec. Mol. Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms / NETHERLANDS

EC Scientific Officer

Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant