No description available.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2004.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T22:53:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_6154_Dissertação_Jairo_Oliveira.pdf: 2928138 bytes, checksum: 19b741972744a79f7b42652057adbb54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-10 / Efluentes são lançados diariamente em corpos dágua sem nenhum tipo de tratamento com elevados teores de óleos e graxas (OG) e constituem um enorme problema ambiental. Estes resíduos potencialmente disponíveis podem ser utilizados para o aproveitamento energético, como o uso de óleo para a produção de biodiesel. Como a maior barreira para produção de biodiesel envolve o custo de matéria prima, caixas de gordura de restaurantes, indústrias e de estações de tratamento de efluentes podem ser utilizados como matéria prima para produção de biocombustível, pois apresentam grandes quantidades de óleos e graxas sem nenhum custo. No entanto, óleos e graxas residuais contêm altos teores de ácidos graxos livres (AGL), e como a via preferencial para a produção de biodiesel é a transesterificação alcalina, pode ocorrer a formação de sabão como produto final, prejudicando a separação do glicerol e diminuindo o rendimento da reação. Desta forma, a transesterificação enzimática e ácida podem se apresentar como alternativas promissoras, visto que podem catalisar a modificação tanto de triglicerídeos como de ácidos graxos livres. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a possibilidade de utilização de quatro tipos de resíduos oleosos do saneamento (Escumas de caixas de gordura de um Restaurante Universitário, de uma Indústria de Alimentos, de uma Estação de Tratamento de Efluentes e de Lodos de Fossas e Tanques Sépticos), caracterizar as propriedades físico-químicas dos óleos e graxas extraídos, bem como avaliar processos de geração de biodiesel envolvendo catalisador ácido (H2SO4) e enzimático (Candida antarcticaimobilizada). Os resíduos estudados apresentaram altos teores de óleos e graxas e a caracterização físico-química mostrou elevados índices de acidez, saponificação e umidade. Foram detectados e quantificados os principais ácidos graxos saturados e insaturados por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). A produção do biodiesel a partir das matérias primas provenientes de caixas de gordura apresentaram altos níveis de conversões, maior ou igual 90%, o que demonstra que ambos os catalisadores (H2SO4 e a lipase Candida antarctica) apresentam-se eficientes na esterificação de matérias primas residuais ácidas. A melhor conversão encontrada foi de 96,5% utilizando o material lipídico proveniente da caixa de gordura do Restaurante Universitário da UFES catalisado enzimaticamente a 50ºC e razão molar 1:9 (óleo:álcool).

La quercétine (QCT) est un composé polyphénolique d'origine végétale connu pour ses activités antioxydantes et ses effets bénéfiques sur la santé. Sa solubilité, sa stabilité, sa biodisponibilité et ses activités biologiques peuvent être améliorées par une acylation sélective de ses groupements hydroxylés. Ce travail vise à étudier la possibilité d'une acétylation enzymatique de la QCT par la lipase B de Candida antarctica (CALB), la lipase la plus exploitée industriellement pour des estérifications régio- et énantiosélectives. Dans une perspective d'ingénierie rationnelle de l'enzyme, une démarche de modélisation moléculaire est mise en oeuvre pour mieux comprendre les interactions qui régissent le positionnement et l'orientation du substrat dans le site actif de la lipase. Dans une première partie expérimentale, l'absence d'activité d'acétylation de la CALB envers la QCT, en présence d'un excès d'acétate de vinyle, a été confirmé. Dans une seconde partie, cette inactivité de la CALB a été expliquée à l'aide de simulations de docking et de dynamique moléculaire. Elle résulte d'une orientation inappropriée du donneur d'acyle liée à la sérine catalytique et d'une proximité insuffisante des hydroxyles de la QCT vis-à-vis des résidus catalytiques. L'éloignement de la QCT de la triade catalytique est due à la rigidité de la molécule, l'étroitesse du site actif ainsi qu'à des interactions hydrophobes et électrostatiques entre le substrat et les résidus de la cavité. En revanche, cette approche de simulation moléculaire prédit un bon positionnement des deux substrats dans le site actif de la lipase de Pseudomonas cepacia (PCL), laquelle est capable d'acétyler la QCT. Dans une troisième partie, l'influence de mutations de deux résidus impliqués dans les liaisons de stabilisation hydrophobe de la QCT dans la CALB a été investiguée par simulation. La substitution d'isoleucines par des valines et des alanines conduit à une augmentation du volume de la poche catalytique et une mobilité accrue de la QCT. Mais ces mutations sont insuffisantes pour permettre un positionnement adéquat de l'acétate et de la QCT par rapport à la triade catalytique. La dernière partie focalise sur les interactions électrostatiques entre la QCT et le site actif de CALB. Les orientations du substrat dans la cavité suite à une méthylation ou une acétylation des groupements hydroxyles de la QCT sont précisées / Quercetin (QCT) is a plant-produced polyphenolic compound well-known for its antioxidant activities and beneficial health effects. Its solubility, stability, bioavailability and biological activities may be improved by a selective acylation of its hydroxyl groups. This work aims at studying the possibility of QCT enzymatic acetylation by Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), the most industrially exploited lipase for regio- and enantioselective esterifications. In prospect of the rational enzyme design, a molecular modeling approach was implemented to understand the interactions that govern the substrate positioning and orientation in the lipase's active site. In a first experimental part, the absence of CALB acetylation activity towards quercetin in excess of vinyl acetate was confirmed. In a second part, this inactivity of CALB was explained by means of docking and molecular dynamics simulations. This results from an inappropriate positioning of the acyl donor linked to the catalytic serine and from an insufficient proximity of QCT hydroxyls vis-à-vis catalytic residues. The distance of QCT from the catalytic triad is due to its rigidity and to the narrow active site as well as to hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the substrate and the cavity residues. On the contrary, this molecular simulation approach predicts an appropriate positioning of both substrates in the active site of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (PCL), which can perform QCT acetylation. In a third part, the impact of mutations of two residues implicated in the stabilization of QCT by hydrophobic interactions in CALB was investigated through simulations. The substitution of isoleucines by alanines and valines led to an increase in the catalytic pocket volume which intensified the mobility of QCT. However, these mutations are insufficient to allow an appropriate positioning of acetate and QCT in relation to the catalytic triad. The last part of this work focuses on the electrostatic interactions between QCT and CALB's active site. The substrate orientation in the cavity following methylation or acetylation of QCT's hydroxyl groups was clarified

Neste trabalho prepararam-se ésteres de ácidos graxos por esterificação do ácido oléico e transesterificação do óleo de soja e do triéster oléico via catálise enzimática. Determinou-se a composição dos produtos obtidos por RMN 1H e CG-FID. Os padrões dos ésteres do ácido oléico via esterificação ácida foram preparados empregando ácido sulfúrico, os padrões dos ésteres do óleo de soja por transesterificação básica com hidróxido de sódio e o padrão do triéster oléico foi sintetizado utilizando ácido p-tolueno sulfônico como catalisador. A melhor enzima para essas reações foi determinada através de reações de esterificação do ácido oléico e transesterificação do óleo de soja com etanol na ausência de co-solventes, sendo que foi selecionada a lipase de Candida antarctica. A mesma enzima foi empregada nas esterificações enzimáticas do ácido oléico com diversos alcoóis (metanol, etanol, n-propanol e n-butanol), na transesterificação enzimática do óleo de soja e do triéster oléico com etanol. Em ambos os estudos, foram avaliados os fatores que influenciam as reações: quantidade de enzima; tempo de reação; água adicionada ao álcool e reuso do biocatalisador. Na esterificação enzimática do ácido oléico, o uso do etanol forneceu o melhor rendimento (96,5%) com 5,0% (m/m) de enzima em 24 horas de reação. Quando uma quantidade de 4,0% de água foi adicionada ao álcool, a reação utilizando metanol mostrou maior eficiência (98,5%) e os rendimentos com os outros alcoóis não foram alterados significativamente (acima de 90%). Também foi possível utilizar a enzima por até 10 ciclos sem perda de rendimento, com exceção do metanol, onde ocorreu um decréscimo acentuado de rendimentos nos ciclos seguintes. Na transesterificação enzimática do óleo de soja, os mesmos fatores foram avaliados e com 5,0% de enzima, após 24 horas, foi obtido um rendimento de 84,1% e com a adição de água o rendimento não foi significativamente alterado (83%). Na transesterificação, os métodos de quantificação por RMN 1H e CG-FID foram comparados sendo que uma maior diferença foi observada para as reações com baixos rendimentos por RMN 1H, porém em altos rendimentos a diferença entre os dois métodos não foi significativa. Monoglicerídeos e diglicerídeos foram quantificados por CG-FID e por RMN 1H onde foi possível calcular a razão dos produtos formados através de uma equação desenvolvida, sendo que a diferença entre esses tipos de análises foi pequena, de apenas 1,4%. A transesterificação enzimática do triéster oléico foi obtida em bom rendimento (90,4%) e uma pequena quantidade de mono- e diglicerídeos foi produzida. Em todas as reações de transesterificação, o glicerol não foi detectado após a lavagem dos produtos. A metodologia empregando a lipase de Candida antarctica mostrou-se eficiente para a produção de biodiesel a partir do óleo de soja e do ácido oléico com diferentes tipos de alcoóis. / In this work, it was prepared esters of the fatty acid by esterification of the oleic acid and transesterification of the soy oil through enzymatic catalysis. It was determined the composition of the products obtained by 1H NMR and GC-FID. The standards of esters of the oleic acid by acid esterification was prepared employing sulfuric acid, the standards of esters of the soy oil by alkaline transesterification with sodium hydroxide and the standard of the oleic triester was synthesized employing p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. The best enzyme for those reactions was determined through reactions of esterification of the oleic acid and transesterification of the soy oil with ethanol and free co-solvents, and lipase from Candida antarctica was selected. The same enzyme was employed in the enzymatic esterifications of the oleic acid with various alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol), in the enzymatic transesterification of soy oil and the oleic triester with ethanol. In both studies, was assessed the factors that influence the reactions: amount of catalyst, reaction time, water added in the alcohol and the turnover of biocatalyst. In the enzymatic esterification of the oleic acid, the ethanol showed the better yield (96,5%) with 5,0% (m/m) of enzyme at 24 hours of reaction. When 4,0% of water was added to the alcohol, the methanol showed the high efficiency (98,5%) and the yield with another alcohols were not affected. It was also possible to use the enzyme for 10 cycles without lose yield, except for the methanol. In the enzymatic transesterification of the soy oil, the same factors were assessed using 5,0% of enzyme, after 24 hours, a yield of 84,1% was obtained and with the water addition the yield was not modified (83%). On the transesterification, 1H NMR and GC-FID were compared and a great difference was observed for low yields, but on high yields, the difference between methods was small. Monoglycerides and diglycerides were quantified by GC-FID and detected by 1H NMR, it was possible to calculate the ratio between them on the products formed through an equation developed and the difference for this type of analysis was small, only 1.4% . The enzymatic transesterification of the oleic triester was obtained with good yield (90,4%) and a small amount of the monoglycerides and diglycerides was produced. In all the transesterifications reactions, glycerol was not detected after washing mixture of products. The methodology employing Candida antarctica lipase was efficient for biodiesel production by soybean oil and oleic acid with different alcohols.

Les peptides sont des molécules pouvant posséder une activité biologique intéressante (antibiotique, anti-oxydante, antivirale, anti-hypertensive…). Ce sont cependant des molécules difficiles à utiliser car elles possèdent un faible temps de demi-vie in vivo et sont peu bio-disponibles. Le greffage d’un acide gras permet de les protéger et d’accroître leur potentiel d’action. Cette réaction appelée acylation peut être catalysée par des enzymes. A l’heure actuelle, peu de recherches sont faites sur l’acylation de peptides par voie enzymatique et sur la recherche de nouveaux biocatalyseurs adaptés pour cette réaction. Les objectifs de cette thèse ont été, dans un premier temps, de comprendre les mécanismes de la sélectivité d’acylation de peptides de la lipase B de Candida antarctica par une approche de modélisation moléculaire combinant docking et dynamique moléculaire, couplée à une approche expérimentale. Cette étude a permis d’identifier des interactions enzyme-substrats impliquées dans la sélectivité enzymatique et a permis de construire un modèle expliquant la régio- et chimio-sélectivité de l’acylation peptidique catalysée par cette enzyme. Dans un deuxième temps, une étude préliminaire a été menée afin d’identifier de nouvelles enzymes de type acylases présentes dans des surnageants de culture de différentes espèces de Streptomyces. Ces enzymes sont capables de catalyser des réactions d’acylation de peptides en milieux aqueux. Une méthode de semi-purification a été établie et une étude comparative a été menée sur la sélectivité d’acylation de la lipase B de C. antarctica et celle de nouvelles enzymes de type aminoacylases présentes dans un extrait protéique de surnageant de culture de Streptomyces ambofaciens. Ces nouvelles enzymes présentent une spécificité différente de celle de la lipase B de C. antarctica, permettant notamment, une acylation des acides aminés sur leur fonction amine en position α. Une caractérisation partielle des activités amino-acylase du surnageant de culture de S. ambofaciens a été réalisée. Dans une troisième et dernière partie, une comparaison des séquences génétiques a été réalisée entre treptomyces mobaraensis et S. ambofaciens afin d’identifier les gènes codant pour les acylases découvertes chez S. ambofaciens. Des mutants de S. ambofaciens délétés pour ces gènes ont été construits et la fonctionnalité des enzymes codées par ces gènes a été vérifiée ; enfin, une expression hétérologue de l’ε-lysine acylase a été initiée / Peptides exhibit various beneficial effects such as antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, neuroprotective, antiviral or antimicrobial activities. However, their use can be limited by their short half-life and their low biological availability. One solution to overcome these drawbacks is the acylation of peptides with fatty acids. This reaction called acylation can be catalyzed using enzymes. To date, very few studies focus on enzymatic acylation of peptides and on finding new enzymes catalyzing this reaction. The objectives of this work were, in a first time, to understand the selectivity mechanisms of the lipase B of Candida antarctica for peptides acylation combining experimental and molecular modeling approaches. This study highlighted enzyme/substrate interactions involved in the enzymatic selectivity and a modelexplaining the chemo- and regio-selectivity of this enzyme for peptide acylation reactions was built. In a second time, a preliminary study was carried out in order to identify new aminoacylase enzymes produced in the culture supernatant of various species of Streptomyces. These enzymes are able to catalyze acylation of peptides in aqueous media. A partial purification method was set and a comparative study was performed on the selectivity of C. antarctica lipase Band that of the new aminoacylases discovered in the culture supernatant of Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC 23877. These enzymes presented a selectivity different from C. antarctica lipase B allowing the acylation of the N-terminal amino group of amino acids or peptides. A partial description of the aminoacylase activity of the supernatant crude extract of S. ambofaciens was performed. In a third and final part, a comparison of sequences of aminoacylases from Streptomyces mobaraensis with the genome of S.s ambofaciens ATCC 23877 was performed in order to identify genetic sequences encoding the new discovered aminoacylases from S. ambofaciens ATCC 23877. Each identified gene was deleted to correlate it with the aminoacylase activity observed in the crude extract of S. ambofaciens. Lastly, a heterologous expression of the ε-lysine acylase was initiated

Neste trabalho prepararam-se ésteres de ácidos graxos por esterificação do ácido oléico e transesterificação do óleo de soja e do triéster oléico via catálise enzimática. Determinou-se a composição dos produtos obtidos por RMN 1H e CG-FID. Os padrões dos ésteres do ácido oléico via esterificação ácida foram preparados empregando ácido sulfúrico, os padrões dos ésteres do óleo de soja por transesterificação básica com hidróxido de sódio e o padrão do triéster oléico foi sintetizado utilizando ácido p-tolueno sulfônico como catalisador. A melhor enzima para essas reações foi determinada através de reações de esterificação do ácido oléico e transesterificação do óleo de soja com etanol na ausência de co-solventes, sendo que foi selecionada a lipase de Candida antarctica. A mesma enzima foi empregada nas esterificações enzimáticas do ácido oléico com diversos alcoóis (metanol, etanol, n-propanol e n-butanol), na transesterificação enzimática do óleo de soja e do triéster oléico com etanol. Em ambos os estudos, foram avaliados os fatores que influenciam as reações: quantidade de enzima; tempo de reação; água adicionada ao álcool e reuso do biocatalisador. Na esterificação enzimática do ácido oléico, o uso do etanol forneceu o melhor rendimento (96,5%) com 5,0% (m/m) de enzima em 24 horas de reação. Quando uma quantidade de 4,0% de água foi adicionada ao álcool, a reação utilizando metanol mostrou maior eficiência (98,5%) e os rendimentos com os outros alcoóis não foram alterados significativamente (acima de 90%). Também foi possível utilizar a enzima por até 10 ciclos sem perda de rendimento, com exceção do metanol, onde ocorreu um decréscimo acentuado de rendimentos nos ciclos seguintes. Na transesterificação enzimática do óleo de soja, os mesmos fatores foram avaliados e com 5,0% de enzima, após 24 horas, foi obtido um rendimento de 84,1% e com a adição de água o rendimento não foi significativamente alterado (83%). Na transesterificação, os métodos de quantificação por RMN 1H e CG-FID foram comparados sendo que uma maior diferença foi observada para as reações com baixos rendimentos por RMN 1H, porém em altos rendimentos a diferença entre os dois métodos não foi significativa. Monoglicerídeos e diglicerídeos foram quantificados por CG-FID e por RMN 1H onde foi possível calcular a razão dos produtos formados através de uma equação desenvolvida, sendo que a diferença entre esses tipos de análises foi pequena, de apenas 1,4%. A transesterificação enzimática do triéster oléico foi obtida em bom rendimento (90,4%) e uma pequena quantidade de mono- e diglicerídeos foi produzida. Em todas as reações de transesterificação, o glicerol não foi detectado após a lavagem dos produtos. A metodologia empregando a lipase de Candida antarctica mostrou-se eficiente para a produção de biodiesel a partir do óleo de soja e do ácido oléico com diferentes tipos de alcoóis. / In this work, it was prepared esters of the fatty acid by esterification of the oleic acid and transesterification of the soy oil through enzymatic catalysis. It was determined the composition of the products obtained by 1H NMR and GC-FID. The standards of esters of the oleic acid by acid esterification was prepared employing sulfuric acid, the standards of esters of the soy oil by alkaline transesterification with sodium hydroxide and the standard of the oleic triester was synthesized employing p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. The best enzyme for those reactions was determined through reactions of esterification of the oleic acid and transesterification of the soy oil with ethanol and free co-solvents, and lipase from Candida antarctica was selected. The same enzyme was employed in the enzymatic esterifications of the oleic acid with various alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol), in the enzymatic transesterification of soy oil and the oleic triester with ethanol. In both studies, was assessed the factors that influence the reactions: amount of catalyst, reaction time, water added in the alcohol and the turnover of biocatalyst. In the enzymatic esterification of the oleic acid, the ethanol showed the better yield (96,5%) with 5,0% (m/m) of enzyme at 24 hours of reaction. When 4,0% of water was added to the alcohol, the methanol showed the high efficiency (98,5%) and the yield with another alcohols were not affected. It was also possible to use the enzyme for 10 cycles without lose yield, except for the methanol. In the enzymatic transesterification of the soy oil, the same factors were assessed using 5,0% of enzyme, after 24 hours, a yield of 84,1% was obtained and with the water addition the yield was not modified (83%). On the transesterification, 1H NMR and GC-FID were compared and a great difference was observed for low yields, but on high yields, the difference between methods was small. Monoglycerides and diglycerides were quantified by GC-FID and detected by 1H NMR, it was possible to calculate the ratio between them on the products formed through an equation developed and the difference for this type of analysis was small, only 1.4% . The enzymatic transesterification of the oleic triester was obtained with good yield (90,4%) and a small amount of the monoglycerides and diglycerides was produced. In all the transesterifications reactions, glycerol was not detected after washing mixture of products. The methodology employing Candida antarctica lipase was efficient for biodiesel production by soybean oil and oleic acid with different alcohols.

<p>Multifunctional enzymes have alternative functions or activities, known as “moonlighting” or “promiscuous”, which are often hidden behind a native enzyme activity and therefore only visible under special environmental conditions. In this thesis, the active-site of Pseudozyma (formerly Candida) antarctica lipase B was explored for a promiscuous conjugate addition activity. Pseudozyma antarctica lipase B is a lipase industrially used for hydrolysis or transacylation reactions. This enzyme contains a catalytic triad, Ser105-His224-Asp187, where a nucleophilic attack from Ser105 on carboxylic acid/ester substrates cause the formation of an acyl enzyme. For conjugate addition activity in Pseudozyma antarctica lipase B, replacement of Ser105 was assumed necessary to prevent competing hemiacetal formation. However, experiments revealed conjugate addition activity in both wild-type enzyme and the Ser105Ala variant. Enzyme-catalyzed conjugate additions were performed by adding sec-amine, thiols or 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to various α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in both water or organic solvent. The reactions followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the native ping pong bi bi reaction mechanism of Pseudozyma antarctica lipase B for hydrolysis/transacylation was rerouted to a novel ordered bi uni reaction mechanism for conjugate addition (Paper I, II, III). The lipase hydrolysis activity was suppressed more than 1000 times by the replacement of the nucleophilic Ser105 to Ala (Paper III).</p>

Recombinant Candida antarctica lipase B was successfullyproduced in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. Thespecific activities of Candida antarctica lipase B produced inPichia pastoris and commercial Candida antarctica lipase B fromNovozymes were the same. In shake-flask cultivations theexpression levels were about 25 mg L-1. Production levels couldbe increased to 1.5 g L-1, using a fermentor. A model tosimulate growth and oxygen consumption was described. The highcell density growth could be explained by the low maintenancecoefficient of Pichia pastoris. Enrichment of the aeration withoxygen increased the recombinant protein production. The lipasewas also produced as a fusion to a cellulose binding module.The cellulose binding module did not interfere with thespecific activity of the lipase. With this fusion proteincatalytic reactions can be performed in close proximity to acellulose surface. The binding module can also function as anaffinity tag for purification. Establishment of the Candidaantarctica lipase B production system allowed the engineeringof Candida antarctica lipase B variants. Four differentvariants were produced in order to investigate if electrostaticinteractions contributed to enantioselectivity. Theenantioselectivity of two halogenated secondary alcohols wasdoubled for the Ser47Ala variant. Thisimplied thatelectrostatic interactions are important forenantioselectivity. The Trp104His variant showed a decrease inenantioselectivity for all tested substrates. This was causedby an increase in the size of the stereoselectivity pocket.Symmetrical secondary alcohols of different size were used tomap the stereoselectivity pocket. A substituent as large as apropyl or isopropyl could be accommodated in the pocket of theTrp104His variant. In the wild-type lipase thestereoselectivity pocket was estimated to fit an ethyl group.The enzyme variants were subjected to a thermodynamic study, toelucidate changes in the enthalpic and entropic contributionsto enantioselectivity. The enthalpic and entropic contributionschanged for the different lipase variants and werecompensatory. The compensation was not perfect, allowing forchanges in enantioselectivity. In general one can conclude that rational design of newenzyme properties, in order to change the substrateselectivity, is feasible if based on a thorough model ofsubstrate enzyme interactions. <b>Key words:</b>Protein expression, Candida antarctica lipaseB, Pichia pastoris, sitedirected mutagenesis, fermentation,selectivity

The substrate selectivities for different serine hydrolases were utilized in various applications, presented in papers I-VI. The articles are discussed in the thesis in view of the kinetics of the enzyme catalysis involved. In paper I the enantioselectivities towards a range of secondary alcohols were reversed for Candida antarctica lipase B by site directed mutagenesis. The thermodynamic components of the enantioselectivity were determined for the mutated variant of the lipase. In papers II-III Candida antarctica lipase B was engineered for selective monoacylation using two different approaches. A variant of the lipase created for substrate assisted catalysis (paper II) and three different variants with mutations which decreased the volume of the active site (paper III) were evaluated. Enzyme kinetics for the different variants were measured and translated into activation energies for comparison of the approaches. In papers IV and V three different enzymes were used for rapid analysis of enantiomeric excess and conversion of O-acylated cyanohydrins synthesized by a defined protocol. Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, Candida antarctica lipase B and pig liver esterase were sequentially added to a solution containing the O-acylated cyanohydrin. Each enzyme caused a drop in absorbance from oxidation of NADH to NAD+. The product yield and enantiomeric excess was calculated from the relative differences in absorbance. In paper VI a method for C-terminal peptide sequencing was developed based on conventional Carboxypeptidase Y digestion combined with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. An alternative nucleophile was used to obtain a stable peptide ladder and improve sequence coverage. / QC20100629