Título: Optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of Scenedesmus almeriensis biomass for amino acid production.
Resumen: In recent decades, excessive use of chemical fertilizers has depleted soil and exhausted crops. Bio-stimulants offer a more ecological and cost-effective alternative, improving soil properties and promoting plant growth. One of the most widely used bio-stimulants in agriculture are amino acids, they participate in the formation of proteins, nucleic acids, hormones, coenzymes, nucleotides, cell wall polymers, and other molecules essential for both vegetative and reproductive development. Microalgae can contain a high amino-acid content, and they have the capability to synthesize all 20 amino acids.
This study focuses on finding the optimal conditions for protein hydrolysis from the microalga Scenedesmus almeriensis, known for its robustness and high productivity in outdoor photobioreactors. Optimizations were carried out for both cell wall breakage and the hydrolysis of the released proteins. Various methods of cell wall breakage, such as ultrasonication, high-pressure homogenization, and cellulase enzyme, were compared. Regarding hydrolysis, four proteases and combinations thereof were evaluated, including two provided by Novozyme (Flavourzyme 1000L and Alcalase 2.5L) and two by Biorizon Biotech (Bio A and Bio B). Optimization was performed for both hydrolysis dose and time, as well as pH and temperature.
The results showed a higher hydrolysis when using the homogenizer as a cell wall breakage method, along with the Bio B protease at a 5% dose relative to biomass, at a pH of 7, and a temperature of 50 ºC. Under these conditions, a 56% of enzymatic hydrolysis was achieved.
Congreso: ISAP 2024
