Neste trabalho foram estudadas a atividade e a estabilidade de lacases dos fungos Coriolus hirsutus e Trametes versicolor em meio aquoso contendo líquidos iônicos (LI) como co-solventes, com o objetivo de se obter informações sobre os efeitos desses solventes na atividade enzimática. Foi avaliado o efeito de onze LI (cátions: tetrabutilamônio, 1-butil-3-metilpiperidina e 1-alquil-3-metilimidazólios; combinados com ânions: brometo, cloreto, metilsulfato, metanossulfonato e tetrafluorborato) em diferentes frações molares em meio aquoso tamponado com ácido acético (0,1 mol L-1, pH 4,7 e 25 &#176;C). De um modo geral, a atividade inicial das lacases nos diferentes líquidos iônicos foi inferior à obtida em solução aquosa somente tamponada. O aumento da concentração dos LI também resultou no decréscimo da atividade enzimática. Tanto os resultados obtidos para atividade, como para estabilidade enzimática, se correlacionaram bem com a série de Hofmeister, que ordena os íons de acordo com suas propriedades cosmotrópicas/caotrópicas. Ânions cosmotrópicos e cátions caotrópicos estabilizam proteínas, enquanto ânions caotrópicos e cátions cosmotrópicos as desestabilizam. As lacases estudadas foram fortemente inibidas na presença dos ânions caotrópicos Br- e BF4-. Entre os LI utilizados neste trabalho, o metanossulfonato de 1-etil-3-metilimidazólio foi co-solvente mais promissor para lacase. Os dados cinéticos das reações enzimáticas em metanossulfonato de 1-etil-3-metilimidazólio e metanossulfonato de 1-butil-3-metilimidazólio, utilizando os substratos catecol e siringaldazina, revelaram que o decréscimo da atividade enzimática é resultado do aumento da constante michaeliana. Os resultados obtidos da estabilidade e temperatura de transição de desnaturação térmica da lacase em LI formado por MeSO3-, cosmotrópico, foram comparáveis aos obtidos em tampão. A ordem crescente de atividade e estabilidade da lacase em líquidos iônicos para cátions foi BuN+&#8776;BMPP+&#8776;BMIM+&#60;EMIM+, enquanto para ânions foi Br-&#8776;BF4- < MeSO4- < MeSO3-. A diminuição da eficiência catalítica da reação (Kcat/Km) em meio contendo líquido iônico foi proporcionada principalmente pelo aumento da Km. Líquidos iônicos têm se apresentado como potenciais solventes para utilização em biocatálise. As propriedades físico-químicas dos LI podem ser moduladas pela combinação de diferentes cátions e ânions, visando características diferenciais para atividade enzimática. O estudo do mecanismo catalítico e dos efeitos específicos dos íons é de fundamental importância para a utilização vantajosa desses solventes em reações enzimáticas. / In this study, the activity and stability of laccase of T. versioclor and C. hirsutus were studied in ionic liquid (IL)-containing aqueous systems to provide valuable information with regard to the effect of IL on the enzyme activity. The effect of IL on the laccase performance was investigated by comparing the activity, stability, kinetic (such as Km, Vmax) and thermal denaturation. An excessive amount of these ILs in the reaction systems resulted in decline in enzymatic activity. Both activity and stability of the enzyme correlate well with the Hofmeister series in terms of the salt\'s kosmotropic/chaotropic properties. Proteins are usually found to be stabilized by a kosmotropic anion and a chaotropic cation and destabilized by a chaotropic anion and a kosmotropic cation. Laccases strong had been inhibited presence of chaotropic anions Br- and BF4-. Among the IL used here, 1-etyl-3-methylimidazoliun methanesulfonate was the most promising IL for laccase. A detailed analysis of kinetic data in the presence of catecol and syrigadalzine as substrate revealed that the decrease in the laccase activity was a result of increase in Km. Equal stability the transition temperature for the thermal denaturation of laccase of T. versioclor in ionic liquids based in MeSO3- (kosmotropic) was comparable to that of the control sample. It was observed an ion effect on the laccase activity and stability, for cations this parameters values increased in the order BMIM+&#8776;BuN+&#8776;BMPP+ < EMIM+; while for anions the order is Br-&#8776;BF4- < MeSO4- < MeSO3-. Also an increase in Km is correlated with the decrease in the catalytic reaction efficiency (Kcat/Km) in medium containing ionic liquid. Design and use of water-mimicking IL composed of chaotropic cations and kosmotropic anions may facilitate the applications of IL in biotransformations.

Este trabalho compreendeu estudar e definir as condições de cultivo que maximizam a produção de manganês peroxidases (MnPs) e lacases (Lacs) por C. subvermispora, fungo de degradação branca da madeira envolvido em processos industriais de biopolpação. O estudo envolveu cultivos submersos, em superfície ou com micélio imobilizado em espuma de poliuretano em meios complexo ou definido, e cultivos imobilizados em meio definido nos quais foram avaliados os efeitos: de diferentes concentrações de Mn2+, dos indutores 2,5-xilidina e álcool veratrílico, e do surfactante Tween 80, que levaram a diferentes níveis de expressões de Lacs e MnPs. Para a determinação de como essas condições afetam a produção das enzimas oxidativas (MnPs e Lacs), os cultivos foram avaliados cineticamente quanto à concentração de proteínas, às atividades enzimáticas, ao espectro de absorção de luz na região UV-VIS, ao teor de açúcares redutores, ao crescimento micelial, ao teor de amônio, ao pH, à condutividade elétrica. Também foram realizadas análises eletroforéticas de extratos de cultivos selecionados. Nos cultivos que tiveram como inóculo discos de micélio, a condição imobilizada em meio de composição complexa demonstrou potencial para produção de Lac (147,5 UI/L). Já nos cultivos inoculados com suspensão de micélio macerado em água, a condição imobilizada em meio de composição definida se destacou com produção seletiva de MnP (277,5 UI/L). Verificou-se que os cultivos em meio complexo nas formas submersa e imobilizada favoreceram a produção de Lac em detrimento de MnP. Nos cultivos de C. subvermispora imobilizado em espuma de poliuretano, em meio definido, a variação da concentração de manganês no meio de cultura alterou a produção de MnP, sendo a concentração de 11 ppm de Mn+2 promotora da máxima atividade (108,5 UI/L). No entanto, ao suprimir manganês do meio, ocorreu produção seletiva de Lac (15,5 UI/L). Com a suplementação do meio contendo 11 ppm de Mn+2 com 0,5 e 1,0 mM de 2,5-xilidina, foram alcançados máximos de atividade de Lac de 14,0 e 22 UI/L, respectivamente. A atividade máxima de MnP não foi afetada pela adição de 2,5-xilidina. Não houve aumentos significativos nas atividades máximas de Lac e de MnP quando o meio foi suplementado com álcool veratrílico. A suplementação do meio contendo 11 ppm de Mn+2 com Tween 80 nas concentrações de 0,05% e 0,5% v/v, em adição a 2,5-xilidina 1,0 mM, aumentou ainda mais a produção de Lac, com máximos de atividade de 53 e 61 UI/L, e de MnP, com picos de 175 e 182 UI/L, respectivamente. As eletroforeses em condições desnaturantes revelaram bandas proteicas de 12,4 a 118,3 KDa e nos géis de atividade foram detectadas atividades de MnP e Lac com mais de uma banda de atividade. Durante os cultivos, a exaustão de açúcares redutores acarretou em diminuição da concentração de micélio fúngico e aumento da concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal no meio, provavelmente devido à ocorrência de autólise celular. O pH e a condutividade variaram relativamente pouco. Em meio complexo, obsevou-se aumento da condutividade durante o cultivo, provavelmente devido à secreção de ácidos orgânicos pelo fungo. / This work involved the research and definition of the culture conditions that maximize the production of manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase (Lac) by C. subvermispora, a white-rot fungus studied in biopulping industrial processes. The study involved submerged or static cultures with immobilized mycelium in polyuretane foam in complex or defined medium, and immobilized cultures in defined medium with different concentrations of Mn2+ and inductors, 2.5-xylidin and veratryl alcohol, and surfactant, Tween 80, resulting in different expressions levels of MnPs and Lacs. To determine how these conditions affect the production of oxidative enzymes (MnP and Lac), the cultures were evaluated kinetically regarding the concentration of proteins, enzymatic activities, the absorption of light in the UV-VIS regions, the concentration of reducing sugars, the micelyal growth, the concentration of ammonium, pH, electrical conductivity. We also performed electrophoretic analysis of some selected cultures. In the cultures inoculated whith discs of mycelium, the condition immobilized in poliuretane foam whith complex medium showed potential for producing Lac (147.5 IU / L). In the cultures inoculated with homogenized mycelium, the immobilized condition whith defined medium showed selective production of MnP (277.5 IU/L). It was found that the submerged and immobilized cultures in complex medium increased the production of Lac instead of MnP. In the immobilized cultures with defined medium, the variation of the concentration of manganese in the medium altered the production of MnP, being the concentration of 11 ppm that promoting maximum activity (108.5 IU/L). However, in the absence of manganese in the medium, the selective production of Lac (15.5 IU / L) was observed. With the supplementation of the defined medium containing 11 ppm Mn+2 with 0.5 or 1.0 mM 2.5-xylidine, maximum activities of Lac of 14.0 and 22.0 IU / L, respectively, were achieved. The maximum activity of MnP was not affected by the addition of 2.5-xylidine. There was no significant increase in the maximum activities of Lac and MnP when the medium was supplemented with veratryl alcohol. Supplementation of the medium with Tween 80, at concentrations of 0.05% and 0.5% v/v, in addition to 11 ppm Mn+2 and 1.0 mM 2.5-xylidine, further increased the production of Lac, with highest activities of 53 and 61 IU/L; MnP activities were 175 and 182 IU/L, respectively. Electrophoresis under denaturing conditions revealed bands of approximately 12.4-118.3 KDa in the electrophoresis non-denaturing PAGE showed MnP and Lac activities in differents bands. During the cultivations, the exhaustion of sugars led to decreased concentrations of mycelium and increased concentrations of ammonia in the extracts, probably due to the occurrence of cellular autolysis. The pH and conductivity showed low variations. The culture in complex medium showed an increased conductivitywith time, probably due to the secretion of organic acids by the fungus.

Orientador: Lara Durães Sette / Resumo: As lacases têm sido alvo de investigação devido à capacidade de oxidar compostos aromáticos fenólicos e não fenólicos com a concomitante redução do oxigênio à agua. Embora possam ser sintetizadas por diversos organismos, sua produção se destaca em fungos de podridão branca. As lacases tem sido amplamente aplicada no campo industrial e ambiental. A fim de comparar o potencial catalítico das lacases dos fungos de ambiente marinho e terrestre, no presente estudo as lacases produzidas pelos basidiomicetos de origem marinha (Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063 e Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062) e terrestre (Peniophora cinerea CCIBt 2541 e Marasmiellus colocasiae CCIBt 3388) foram parcialmente purificadas (ultrafiltração e cromatografia de troca iônica) e caracterizadas bioquimicamente. Para a quantificação das laccases foram utilizados os substratos enzimáticos 2,2’-azino-bis (3- etilbenzotiazolina-6-sulfónico) (ABTS) e siringaldazina (SYG). Os fungos analisados apresentaram produção de lacases no meio utilizado, o qual foi previamente otimizado para a produção de lacases para o Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063. Nestas condições de cultivo, as enzimas ligninoliticas Manganês Peroxidase (MnP) e Lignina Peroxidase (LiP) não foram produzidas. Com relação ao processo de purificação, a cada passo houve perda no rendimento, em proporções diferentes para o conjunto enzimático de cada fungo, com melhor recuperação para as lacases produzidas pelos fungos do gênero Marasmiellus. O zimograma revelou que Peniopho... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Laccases have been under investigation due to their capacity to oxidize phenolic and non-phenolic aromatic compounds with concomitant reducing of oxygen to water. Although laccases can be synthetized by several organisms; their production is notable in white rot fungi. Laccases have been wide applied in industrial and environmental fields. Aiming to compare the catalytic potential of laccases in fungi from marine and terrestrial environments, in the present work laccases produced by marine basidiomycetes (Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063 and Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062) and the terrestrial (Peniophora cinerea CCIBt 2541 and Marasmiellus colocasiae CCIBt 3388) were partially purified (ultrafiltration and ionic chromatography) and biochemically characterized. For the laccases quantification were used 2,2’-azino-bis (3- ethilbenzotiazolina-6-sulphnic) (ABTS) and syringaldazine (SYG) as substrates. All studied fungi showed satisfactory laccases productions in the utilized medium, which was previously optimized to laccases production by Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063. In these culture conditions ligninolytic enzymes Manganese Peroxidase (MnP) and Lignin Peroxidase (LiP) were not produced. Regarding the purification process, there was yield loss in each step, in different proportions to the enzymatic pool for each fungi, with better yielded the laccases produced by the fungi from Marasmiellus genus. Zymogram revealed that Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063 has two laccase isoforms, P. cinerea CCIBt 254... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Este trabalho descreve a preparação e caracterização de biocátodos para biocélula a combustível Etanol e Metanol//O2 utilizando a enzima lacase (trametes versicolor) num sistema de transferência eletrônica mediada (TEM). Na primeira etapa do trabalho, os resultados de cinética enzimática com a enzima lacase em solução e imobilizada sobre tecido de carbono mostraram que os vários parâmetros experimentais (pH, temperatura, estabilidade) analisados devem ser considerados, a fim de se obter atividade máxima com os biocatalisadores. Além disso, em relação aos testes cinéticos e de estabilidade, pode-se inferir que o dendrímero PAMAM pode ser empregado como um bom agente imobilizante na preparação de bicátodos para biocélula a combustível enzimática. Na segunda etapa do trabalho, uma semibiocélula Etanol//O2 foi testada e os eletrocatalisadores testados foram o verde de metileno (VM) e o azul de meldola (AM). Os testes de potência mostraram a importância da presença do mediador ABTS e do eletrocatalisador (VM) para melhorar o desempenho do dispositivo. Na terceira etapa do trabalho, eletrodos com diferentes mediadores (ABTS, ferro porfirina, ferroceno, complexo de ósmio e complexo de rutênio) e com polipirrol eletropolimerizado na superfície do eletrodo foram testados numa semibiocélula Metanol//O2. Os testes de semibiocélula Etanol e Metanol//O2 com transferência eletrônica mediada mostraram que os biocátodos preparados com o dendrímero PAMAM e com os diferentes eletrocatalisadores e mediadores, se mostraram capazes de gerar densidades de potência competitivas em relação aos valores encontrados na literatura. / This work describes the preparation and characterization of biocathodes for Ethanol and Methanol//O2 biofuel cell using the enzyme laccase (trametes versicolor) enzyme and mediated electron transfer (MET). Investigation of the enzymatic kinetics of the enzyme laccase in solution and immobilized onto carbon platforms showed that the analyzed experimental parameters (pH, temperature, and stability) must be considered for maximum activity to be achieved. The kinetic and stability tests revealed that PAMAM dendrimers constitute very good immobilization agent to prepare biocathodes for enzymatic biofuel cell. The second part of this work, dealt with Ethanol//O2half-cell using methylene green (MG) ormeldola blue (MB) as electrocatalyst. The power test evidenced that it is important to have ABTS as mediator and an electrocatalyst, to ensure that the device performs better. The third part of this work evaluated electrodes with distinct mediators (ABTS, iron porphyrin, ferrocene, osmium complex, and ruthenium complex) and containing electropolymerized polypyrrole on their surface in a Methanol//O2half-cell. Ethanol and Methanol//O2 half-cell tests with mediated electron transfer showed that the biocathodes prepared with PAMAM dendrimers, electrocatalyst, and distinct mediators generated competitive power densities as compared with literature data.

Este trabalho compreendeu estudar e definir as condições de cultivo que maximizam a produção de manganês peroxidases (MnPs) e lacases (Lacs) por C. subvermispora, fungo de degradação branca da madeira envolvido em processos industriais de biopolpação. O estudo envolveu cultivos submersos, em superfície ou com micélio imobilizado em espuma de poliuretano em meios complexo ou definido, e cultivos imobilizados em meio definido nos quais foram avaliados os efeitos: de diferentes concentrações de Mn2+, dos indutores 2,5-xilidina e álcool veratrílico, e do surfactante Tween 80, que levaram a diferentes níveis de expressões de Lacs e MnPs. Para a determinação de como essas condições afetam a produção das enzimas oxidativas (MnPs e Lacs), os cultivos foram avaliados cineticamente quanto à concentração de proteínas, às atividades enzimáticas, ao espectro de absorção de luz na região UV-VIS, ao teor de açúcares redutores, ao crescimento micelial, ao teor de amônio, ao pH, à condutividade elétrica. Também foram realizadas análises eletroforéticas de extratos de cultivos selecionados. Nos cultivos que tiveram como inóculo discos de micélio, a condição imobilizada em meio de composição complexa demonstrou potencial para produção de Lac (147,5 UI/L). Já nos cultivos inoculados com suspensão de micélio macerado em água, a condição imobilizada em meio de composição definida se destacou com produção seletiva de MnP (277,5 UI/L). Verificou-se que os cultivos em meio complexo nas formas submersa e imobilizada favoreceram a produção de Lac em detrimento de MnP. Nos cultivos de C. subvermispora imobilizado em espuma de poliuretano, em meio definido, a variação da concentração de manganês no meio de cultura alterou a produção de MnP, sendo a concentração de 11 ppm de Mn+2 promotora da máxima atividade (108,5 UI/L). No entanto, ao suprimir manganês do meio, ocorreu produção seletiva de Lac (15,5 UI/L). Com a suplementação do meio contendo 11 ppm de Mn+2 com 0,5 e 1,0 mM de 2,5-xilidina, foram alcançados máximos de atividade de Lac de 14,0 e 22 UI/L, respectivamente. A atividade máxima de MnP não foi afetada pela adição de 2,5-xilidina. Não houve aumentos significativos nas atividades máximas de Lac e de MnP quando o meio foi suplementado com álcool veratrílico. A suplementação do meio contendo 11 ppm de Mn+2 com Tween 80 nas concentrações de 0,05% e 0,5% v/v, em adição a 2,5-xilidina 1,0 mM, aumentou ainda mais a produção de Lac, com máximos de atividade de 53 e 61 UI/L, e de MnP, com picos de 175 e 182 UI/L, respectivamente. As eletroforeses em condições desnaturantes revelaram bandas proteicas de 12,4 a 118,3 KDa e nos géis de atividade foram detectadas atividades de MnP e Lac com mais de uma banda de atividade. Durante os cultivos, a exaustão de açúcares redutores acarretou em diminuição da concentração de micélio fúngico e aumento da concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal no meio, provavelmente devido à ocorrência de autólise celular. O pH e a condutividade variaram relativamente pouco. Em meio complexo, obsevou-se aumento da condutividade durante o cultivo, provavelmente devido à secreção de ácidos orgânicos pelo fungo. / This work involved the research and definition of the culture conditions that maximize the production of manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase (Lac) by C. subvermispora, a white-rot fungus studied in biopulping industrial processes. The study involved submerged or static cultures with immobilized mycelium in polyuretane foam in complex or defined medium, and immobilized cultures in defined medium with different concentrations of Mn2+ and inductors, 2.5-xylidin and veratryl alcohol, and surfactant, Tween 80, resulting in different expressions levels of MnPs and Lacs. To determine how these conditions affect the production of oxidative enzymes (MnP and Lac), the cultures were evaluated kinetically regarding the concentration of proteins, enzymatic activities, the absorption of light in the UV-VIS regions, the concentration of reducing sugars, the micelyal growth, the concentration of ammonium, pH, electrical conductivity. We also performed electrophoretic analysis of some selected cultures. In the cultures inoculated whith discs of mycelium, the condition immobilized in poliuretane foam whith complex medium showed potential for producing Lac (147.5 IU / L). In the cultures inoculated with homogenized mycelium, the immobilized condition whith defined medium showed selective production of MnP (277.5 IU/L). It was found that the submerged and immobilized cultures in complex medium increased the production of Lac instead of MnP. In the immobilized cultures with defined medium, the variation of the concentration of manganese in the medium altered the production of MnP, being the concentration of 11 ppm that promoting maximum activity (108.5 IU/L). However, in the absence of manganese in the medium, the selective production of Lac (15.5 IU / L) was observed. With the supplementation of the defined medium containing 11 ppm Mn+2 with 0.5 or 1.0 mM 2.5-xylidine, maximum activities of Lac of 14.0 and 22.0 IU / L, respectively, were achieved. The maximum activity of MnP was not affected by the addition of 2.5-xylidine. There was no significant increase in the maximum activities of Lac and MnP when the medium was supplemented with veratryl alcohol. Supplementation of the medium with Tween 80, at concentrations of 0.05% and 0.5% v/v, in addition to 11 ppm Mn+2 and 1.0 mM 2.5-xylidine, further increased the production of Lac, with highest activities of 53 and 61 IU/L; MnP activities were 175 and 182 IU/L, respectively. Electrophoresis under denaturing conditions revealed bands of approximately 12.4-118.3 KDa in the electrophoresis non-denaturing PAGE showed MnP and Lac activities in differents bands. During the cultivations, the exhaustion of sugars led to decreased concentrations of mycelium and increased concentrations of ammonia in the extracts, probably due to the occurrence of cellular autolysis. The pH and conductivity showed low variations. The culture in complex medium showed an increased conductivitywith time, probably due to the secretion of organic acids by the fungus.

Ce travail concerne l'étude de la dégradation enzymatique de micropolluants pharmaceutiques récalcitrants présents dans l'eau. Tout d’abord, les efficacités de trois laccases différentes issues respectivement de : Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43, Trametes versicolor (Tv) et Myceliophtora thermophila ont été comparés lors d’essais de dépollution de solutions modèles renfermant trois antibiotiques (amoxicilline, ciprofloxacine et sulfaméthoxazole) et un antiépileptique (carbamazépine). Les essais ont été réalisés avec les laccases libres en présence ou non de médiateurs redox. L'impact de plusieurs paramètres opératoires sur les performances des enzymes a également été étudié. Puis, une nouvelle méthode d’immobilisation des laccases impliquant l’activation du support (microparticules à base de silice commerciales) par du glutaraldéhyde en phase vapeur a été mise au point et optimisée en utilisant la méthodologie de plans d’expériences. Après immobilisation, la laccase Tv s’est avérée être la plus active. Des essais de dégradation en présence de médiateurs redox ont confirmé l’efficacité de l’enzyme immobilisée et sa possible réutilisation lors de cycles successifs. La toxicité des solutions après traitement a été évaluée par des tests Microtox®. La laccase Tv a également été immobilisée sur des nanoparticules non commerciales à base de silice ou d’argile ainsi que sur des composites à base de silice et d’argile. La laccase Tv immobilisée sur les supports composites riches en silice a montré une plus grande réactivité et de meilleures performances pour l'élimination des composés cibles. / This work is focused on the study of the enzymatic depletion of recalcitrant pharmaceutical micropollutants in water. The potential degradation of three antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole) and one anti-epileptic (carbamazepine) was studied with three laccases: Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43, Trametes versicolor (Tv) and Myceliophtora thermophila. Free laccase systems were evaluated for pharmaceuticals depletion on model solutions in the presence or absence of redox mediators and the impact of several parameters on the performance of laccases for degradation were studied. The enzymes were then immobilized on different solid supports: commercial silica, laboratory synthetized nano-silica and clay based composite nanomaterials and used for degradation tests. A novel methodology for the covalent binding of laccases onto carriers was developed by using glutaraldehyde in vapour phase and the best immobilization conditions were determined through a 23 full factorial design. The immobilized Tv shown the highest activity and was tested in presence of redox mediators. Moreover, the reusability was evaluated in several degradation cycles and the toxicity of the solutions after treatment was assessed with the Microtox® test. In comparison to laccase immobilized on commercial silica, the Tv supported on laboratory synthetized materials showed higher activity and a better performance for the removal of target compounds.

Les substances perturbatrices du système endocrinien sont des substances qui, de par leur capacité à induire des changements hormonaux chez les organismes vivants, génèrent des préoccupations dans le domaine de la qualité des eaux et, par extension, dans le domaine du traitement des effluents aqueux. Particulièrement, ce projet de recherche s’est attardé sur l’élimination des perturbateurs endocriniens phénoliques nonylphénol (NP), bisphénol A (BPA) et triclosan (TCS) en solution aqueuse à l’aide de la laccase (E.C. 1.10.3.2) sécrétée par la souche fongique Coriolopsis polyzona. Cette oxydase est une métalloprotéine pouvant catalyser l’oxydation d’une vaste gamme de substances phénoliques. En premier lieu, l’impact du pH et de la température sur l’élimination de ces composés à l’aide de la laccase libre en utilisant un design factoriel. L’oxydation de ces composés produit des oligomères (dimère à pentamère) via le couplage des radicaux phénoxy produits par l’action de la laccase. Il s’avère que les substances produites suite à l’oxydation du NP et du BPA par la laccase ont perdu leurs similitudes structurales avec l’estrogène. Ainsi, l’élimination de l’activité estrogénique de ces substances est directement liée à la transformation des composés. Finalement, l’utilisation d’ABTS comme médiateur a permis d’augmenter le taux d’oxydation enzymatique de ces composés chimiques. Puis, de façon à augmenter la possibilité d’utilisation de la laccase dans des biotechnologies environnementales, cette enzyme a été immobilisée sur un support siliceux et via la réticulation d’agrégats. L’impact des conditions d’immobilisation sur l’activité enzymatique, la stabilité du catalyseur et les propriété biocatalytiques apparentes a été déterminé pour différentes stratégies d’immobilisation. Globalement, l’immobilisation génère un biocatalyseur stable vis-à-vis les dénaturations chimique, physique et biologique. Particulièrement, l’immobilisation sur un support solide produit un biocatalyseur facile à utiliser ayant une faible activité massique et des propriétés cinétiques moindres que celle de l’enzyme libre. La formation de CLEAs de laccase a permis d’obtenir une activité massique élevée et des propriétés cinétiques supérieures à celle de l’enzyme soluble. Ces biocatalyseurs solides ont étés utilisés pour éliminer en continu le NP, BPA et TCS dans différents types de bioréacteur. Le biocatalyseur sur silice a été utilisé pour éliminer ces substances dans un réacteur garni, tandis que les CLEAs ont été utilisés dans un réacteur à lit fluidisé et un réacteur à perfusion développé au cours de ce projet. Ces différentes configurations de bioréacteur ont permis d’éliminer efficacement ces différents perturbateurs endocriniens. Globalement, les différents résultats obtenus, à l’échelle de laboratoire, au cours de ce projet de recherche démontrent que la laccase et particulièrement les biocatalyseurs formés via les différentes stratégies d’immobilisation testées représentent des approches extrêmement prometteuses pour le développement de biotechnologies environnementales vouées à l’élimination des perturbateurs endocriniens phénoliques.

The overall objective of this research is to identify and optimize enzymatic applications that have the potential to degrade middle lamella lignin, so as to decrease economic and environmental costs associated with the production of mechanical pulp. Non-productive binding of enzyme to lignin in lignocellulosic biomass reduces enzyme availability and efficiency. The elucidation of non-productive binding behavior between hydrolytic enzymes and lignocellulosic substrates could significantly improve the efficiency of corresponding industrial bioprocesses. The first part of this report presents a study that characterizes non-catalytic interactions between enzymes and fibre. The second part of this report presents the biochemical and mutational studies of a novel, small laccase SCO6712 from Streptomyces coelicolor. The findings from this research support the design, control, and optimization of enzymatic treatments of lignocellulosic fibres in the pulp and biofuel industries.

The overall objective of this research is to identify and optimize enzymatic applications that have the potential to degrade middle lamella lignin, so as to decrease economic and environmental costs associated with the production of mechanical pulp. Non-productive binding of enzyme to lignin in lignocellulosic biomass reduces enzyme availability and efficiency. The elucidation of non-productive binding behavior between hydrolytic enzymes and lignocellulosic substrates could significantly improve the efficiency of corresponding industrial bioprocesses. The first part of this report presents a study that characterizes non-catalytic interactions between enzymes and fibre. The second part of this report presents the biochemical and mutational studies of a novel, small laccase SCO6712 from Streptomyces coelicolor. The findings from this research support the design, control, and optimization of enzymatic treatments of lignocellulosic fibres in the pulp and biofuel industries.

This research project originated from interest in assessing the potential of enzyme technology (particularly laccase-based systems) for the biomodification of sisal specialty fibres by using environmentally friendly processes. This doctoral work focused on two different research lines, namely: biobleaching and enzymatic functionalization of sisal pulp fibres. The study was started by assessing the use of natural, potentially cost-effective phenolic compounds as substitutes for expensive, potentially toxic laccase mediators. The tendency of natural phenols to either promote delignification or couple onto pulp was examined with a view to assessing their potential for either bleaching or functionalizing sisal fibres. In the biobleaching study, totally chlorine free (TCF) sequences were implemented in order to compare the efficiency of a selected natural mediator and a well-known synthetic mediator, both in the presence and absence of a xylanase pre-treatment. The effluents resulting from each stage in the sequence were analysed with a view to assessing the environmental impact of the laccase treatments ¿a scarcely explored aspect of biobleaching sequences. The xylanase stage proved highly efficient in reducing the HexA content of sisal fibres and in boosting the bleaching effect of the laccase treatments. The proposed TCF sequences provided high-cellulose sisal pulp with brightness above 80% ISO and a reduced HexA content; also, they exhibited improved performance and a reduced impact on effluent properties relative to the use of the synthetic mediator. Two different approaches to fibre functionalization were explored, namely: lignin modification (biografting) and cellulose modification (laccase¿TEMPO oxidation). Biografting of phenolic compounds was for the first time studied in sisal pulp. Covalent binding of the originally assayed phenolic compounds to sisal fibres during the laccase treatment was exposed by a novel analytical approach based on pyrolysis-GC/MS. The phenolic compound showing the highest tendency to couple to fibres was selected to investigate biografting under different reaction conditions and to evaluate the extent of phenol coupling via various pulp properties. Biografting efficiency was enhanced by refining the fibres prior to the enzyme treatment, which provided improved strength-related properties in the resulting paper. The use of the laccase-TEMPO system to oxidatively modify cellulose and improve strength-related properties in sisal pulp was for the first time evaluated as an environmentally friendly alternative to existing halide-based systems. The first part of this study revealed that the laccase¿TEMPO system considerably improved wet strength in sisal pulp by effect of the formation of a substantial amount of aldehyde groups in cellulose chains that facilitated inter-fibre bonding through hemiacetal linkages. The influence of process variables on various properties of the oxidized fibres and resulting paper was assessed by using a three-variable statistical plan. The conditions maximizing functionalization and the improvement in paper strength properties were used to design treatments of increased efficiency that exposed the potential of laccase¿TEMPO oxidation for biorefining pulp fibres. Analytical methods including pyrolysis-GC/MS, polyelectrolyte titration, conductimetric titration, carbohydrate determination by HPLC, fibre morphology analysis by SEM and thermogravimetry were used to both characterize the raw material and gain a better understanding of the reaction mechanisms behind the different laccase-based treatments. Some of the analyses were performed by collaborating research groups at IRNAS (Seville, Spain) and the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Huelva (Spain). Also, part of this doctoral work was conducted at the Institute of Paper Science and Technology of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, USA).