COLLEGE NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCENES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
SCH O O L O F PO STE G RADUAT E STUDIE S
SPECIALIZ ATIO N IN APPLIED MICRO
BIO LO G Y
Course title: industrial micro biology
Individual assignment of the production of microbial
enzymes and their application
PREPARED:
BY:
DEREJE ANOSE

IDNO:1500750

SUBMITTED TO: AMHA (PHD)

SUMMATION DATE: 5/10/2015 E C
Contents
1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................3
2. Methods and Materials................................................................................................................................3
3. Production of Microbial Enzymes...............................................................................................................3
3.1.Submerged fermentation...........................................................................................................................3
3.3.Solid-State Fermentation.......................................................................................................................5
4.Applications of Microbial Enzymes.............................................................................................................7
4.1.Food Industry........................................................................................................................................7
4.2.Textile Industry.....................................................................................................................................7
4.3.Paper Industry.......................................................................................................................................8
4.4.Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Detergent Industry...................................................................9
4.5.Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Pharmaceutical Industry...........................................................9
4.6. Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Biofuel Industry....................................................................10
4.8. Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Environmental Remediation..................................................10
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................12
References.....................................................................................................................................................13
1. Introduction
Microbial enzymes are proteins produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast.
They are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes are essential for life, and
they are used in a wide variety of applications, including food production, textile manufacturing,
papermaking, detergent production, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and environmental remediation
(Pandey, 2007).

Microbial enzymes are important because they are efficient, specific, and safe catalysts that can
be used in a wide range of applications. They are a valuable resource for the food, textile, paper,
detergent, pharmaceutical, biofuel, and environmental remediation industries (Gupta, 2017).

2. Methods and Materials

The paper has applied an in depth literature review to collect the data. The

data collected were mainly secondary in nature as well as qualitative and

quantitative forms. These data were gathered using documents analysis of

several studies conducted on bacteria defense mechanisms. These sources

are therefore the reports, the journal articles and the conference

proceedings. As a final point, the required data were presented through

narration.

3. Production of Microbial Enzymes

The production of microbial enzymes can be carried out using two main methods: submerged
fermentation and solid-state fermentation. Submerged fermentation is the most common method,
and it involves growing the microorganisms in a liquid medium. Solid-state fermentation is a less
common method, and it involves growing the microorganisms on a solid substrate, such as grain,
wood chips, or sawdust (Pandey, 2007).
3.1. Submerged fermentation

Submerged fermentation is a process in which microorganisms are grown in a liquid medium.

The liquid medium is typically a nutrient-rich solution that contains water, sugars, amino acids,
vitamins, and minerals. The microorganisms are added to the liquid medium, and the
fermentation is carried out in a bioreactor. A bioreactor is a vessel that is designed to provide the
optimal conditions for microbial growth and enzyme production (Wang & Zhang, 2018).

The bioreactor is typically equipped with a stirrer, which helps to mix the liquid medium and
oxygenate the microorganisms. The bioreactor is also equipped with a temperature controller,
which helps to maintain the optimal temperature for microbial growth (Gupta, 2017).

The fermentation process is typically carried out for several days, or until the desired amount of
enzyme has been produced. The enzyme is then harvested from the bioreactor and purified
(Gupta, 2017).

A. Advantages of Submerged Fermentation

There are several advantages to using submerged fermentation for the production of microbial
enzymes (Wang & Zhang, 2018). These advantages include:

● High yields: Submerged fermentation can produce high yields of enzymes.

 Controlled environment: The bioreactor provides a controlled environment for microbial
growth and enzyme production. This helps to ensure that the enzymes are produced in a
consistent and reproducible manner.
● Scalability: Submerged fermentation can be scaled up to produce large quantities of
enzymes. This makes it a suitable method for the commercial production of enzymes.
B. Disadvantages of Submerged Fermentation

There are also some disadvantages to using submerged fermentation for the production of
microbial enzymes (Wang & Zhang, 2018). These disadvantages include:

● Cost: Submerged fermentation can be a costly process. This is due to the cost of the
bioreactor, the nutrients, and the energy required to operate the bioreactor.
● Waste: Submerged fermentation produces a large amount of waste. This waste must be
disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
● Safety: Submerged fermentation can be a hazardous process. This is due to the use of
microorganisms and the potential for the release of hazardous chemicals.

Submerged fermentation is a versatile and efficient method for the production of microbial
enzymes. It is a suitable method for the commercial production of enzymes, and it is used in a
wide variety of industries. However, submerged fermentation can be a costly and hazardous
process (Gupta, 2017).

3.3. Solid-State Fermentation

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a method of producing microbial enzymes that uses a solid
substrate, such as grain, wood chips, or sawdust, as the growth medium for the microorganisms.
SSF has several advantages over submerged fermentation (Pandey, 2007), including:

● Lower cost: SSF requires less energy and water than submerged fermentation.
● Reduced environmental impact: SSF produces less wastewater and greenhouse gases than
submerged fermentation.
● Improved enzyme yields: Enzyme yields are often higher in SSF than in submerged
fermentation.

Process

The SSF process can be divided into three main stages:

 1. Preparation of the solid substrate: The solid substrate is ground into a fine powder and
then moistened to a desired moisture content. The moisture content is important because
it affects the growth of the microorganisms and the production of enzymes.
2. Inoculation of the solid substrate: The solid substrate is inoculated with a desired strain of
microorganisms. The strain of microorganisms is important because it affects the type
and quantity of enzymes produced.
3. Fermentation: The solid substrate is incubated under controlled conditions, such as
temperature, pH, and aeration. The fermentation process typically takes several days to
complete.

Downstream processing

After the fermentation process is complete, the enzymes must be extracted from the solid
substrate. This can be done by a variety of methods (Wang & Zhang, 2018), including:

● Centrifugation: Centrifugation is a method of separating solids from liquids. The solid

substrate is centrifuged at high speed, and the enzymes are separated from the solid
particles.
● Filtration: Filtration is a method of removing solids from liquids. The solid substrate is
filtered through a filter, and the enzymes are passed through the filter.
● Precipitation: Precipitation is a method of separating proteins from a solution. The
enzymes are precipitated from the solution by adding a reagent that causes the proteins to
clump together.

Once the enzymes have been extracted from the solid substrate, they must be purified. This can
be done by a variety of methods (Wang & Zhang, 2018), including:

● Chromatography: Chromatography is a method of separating mixtures of compounds.

The enzymes are separated from other compounds in the solution by passing the solution
through a column packed with a material that interacts with the enzymes in a specific
way.
● Electrophoresis: Electrophoresis is a method of separating charged molecules. The
enzymes are separated from other molecules in the solution by passing the solution
through an electric field.

SSF is a promising method for producing microbial enzymes. It has several advantages over
submerged fermentation, including lower cost, reduced environmental impact, and improved
enzyme yields. The development of new technologies is helping to improve the efficiency and
productivity of SSF, and it is likely that SSF will become an increasingly important method for
producing microbial enzymes in the future (Gupta, 2017)
4. Applications of Microbial Enzymes

4.1.Food Industry
Microbial enzymes are used in a variety of applications in the food industry (Pandey, 2007),
including:

● Baking: Microbial enzymes are used to improve the texture and flavor of baked goods.
For example, amylases are used to break down starches into sugars, which gives baked
goods a better rise and texture. Proteases are used to break down proteins, which helps to
improve the flavor of baked goods.
● Dairy: Microbial enzymes are used to produce a variety of dairy products, such as cheese,
yogurt, and milk. For example, rennet is an enzyme that is used to curdle milk and make
cheese. Lactases are enzymes that are used to break down lactose, the sugar in milk,
which makes it easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest.
● Meat processing: Microbial enzymes are used to tenderize meat and improve its flavor.
For example, proteases are used to break down proteins, which makes meat easier to
chew. Lipases are used to break down fats, which helps to improve the flavor of meat.
● Wine and beer making: Microbial enzymes are used to produce wine and beer. For
example, amylases are used to break down starches into sugars, which are then fermented
by yeast to produce alcohol. Proteases are used to break down proteins, which helps to
improve the flavor of wine and beer.
● Other applications: Microbial enzymes are also used in a variety of other food
applications, such as:
○ Preserving food: Microbial enzymes can be used to preserve food by killing
harmful bacteria. For example, lysozyme is an enzyme that can be used to kill
Listeria bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
○ Enhancing the nutritional value of food: Microbial enzymes can be used to
enhance the nutritional value of food by making it easier for the body to absorb
nutrients. For example, lactase can be added to milk to make it easier for people
with lactose intolerance to digest.
○ Developing new food products: Microbial enzymes can be used to develop new
food products by changing the texture, flavor, or nutritional value of food. For
example, proteases can be used to make meat more tender and flavorful.
4.3. TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Microbial enzymes are used in a variety of applications in the textile industry (Pandey, 2007),
including:

❖ Detergents: Microbial enzymes are used in detergents to remove stains and dirt from
clothes. For example, amylases are used to remove starch-based stains, proteases are used
to remove protein-based stains, and lipases are used to remove oil-based stains.
❖ Textile processing: Microbial enzymes are used in textile processing to improve the
quality of fabrics. For example, amylases are used to remove starch from fabrics,
proteases are used to break down proteins in fabrics, and lipases are used to break down
fats in fabrics.
❖ Other applications: Microbial enzymes are also used in a variety of other textile
applications, such as:
❖ Biopolishing: Biopolishing is a process that uses microbial enzymes to improve the luster
and smoothness of fabrics.
❖ Desizing: Desizing is a process that uses microbial enzymes to remove sizing agents from
fabrics. Sizing agents are used to make fabrics easier to weave or knit, but they can make
fabrics stiff and difficult to care for.
❖ Biofinishing: Biofinishing is a process that uses microbial enzymes to add functional
properties to fabrics, such as water repellency or stain resistance.

4.3. Paper Industry

Microbial enzymes are used in a variety of applications in the paper industry (Wang & Zhang,
2018), including:

● Papermaking: Microbial enzymes are used in papermaking to break down wood pulp into
cellulose fibers. Cellulose fibers are the main component of paper, and they give paper its
strength and durability.
● Paper recycling: Microbial enzymes are used in paper recycling to break down the ink
and other contaminants from used paper. This makes it possible to reuse paper fibers,
which helps to reduce the environmental impact of paper production.
● Other applications: Microbial enzymes are also used in a variety of other paper industry
applications, such as:
○ Water treatment: Microbial enzymes can be used to treat wastewater from paper
mills. This helps to remove pollutants from the wastewater and prevent them from
harming the environment.
○ Biodegradable plastics: Microbial enzymes can be used to produce biodegradable
plastics from renewable resources, such as cornstarch. This helps to reduce the
environmental impact of plastic production.
4.4.Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Detergent Industry

Microbial enzymes are used in detergents to remove stains and dirt from clothes (Wang &
Zhang, 2018). Some of the most common enzymes used in detergents include proteases,
amylases, and lipases.

● Proteases break down proteins, which are found in many stains, such as blood, sweat, and
food.
● Amylases break down starch, which is found in many food stains.
● Lipases break down oils and fats, which are found in many grease stains.

Microbial enzymes are also used to improve the performance of detergents. For example,
proteases can help to remove stains by breaking them down into smaller pieces that are easier for
the detergent to remove. Amylases can help to remove starch stains by breaking them down into
glucose, which is a simple sugar that is easily dissolved by water. Lipases can help to remove
grease stains by breaking them down into fatty acids, which are also easily dissolved by water
(Gupta, 2017).

The use of microbial enzymes in detergents has several advantages. First, it is a more
environmentally friendly way to clean clothes. Detergents that contain enzymes are
biodegradable, which means that they can be broken down by bacteria and other
microorganisms. This helps to reduce the amount of pollution that is released into the
environment. Second, enzymes are more effective at removing stains than traditional detergents.
This is because enzymes are able to break down stains at the molecular level. Third, enzymes are
more gentle on fabrics than traditional detergents. This is because enzymes do not contain harsh
chemicals that can damage fabrics (Gupta, 2017).

4.5.Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Pharmaceutical Industry

Microbial enzymes are used in a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical industry (Pandey,
2007), including:

● Production of drugs: Enzymes are used to produce a variety of drugs, including

antibiotics, hormones, and enzymes used in digestion.
● Manufacturing of vaccines: Enzymes are used to manufacture vaccines, which are used to
protect people from diseases.
● Bioremediation: Enzymes are used to clean up contaminated soil and water.
4.6. Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Biofuel Industry

Microbial enzymes are used in the biofuel industry to break down biomass into sugars, which
can then be fermented to produce biofuels (Gupta, 2017). Some of the most common enzymes
used in the biofuel industry include cellulases, hemicellulases, and amylases.

● Cellulases: Cellulases break down cellulose, which is the main component of plant cell
walls.
● Hemicellulases: Hemicellulases break down hemicellulose, which is another component
of plant cell walls.
● Amylases: Amylases break down starch, which is a type of carbohydrate that is found in
plants.

The use of microbial enzymes in the biofuel industry has several advantages. First, it is a more
sustainable way to produce biofuels. Biofuels that are produced using enzymes are made from
renewable resources, such as corn stalks and switchgrass. This helps to reduce our reliance on
fossil fuels. Second, the use of enzymes is more efficient than traditional methods of producing
biofuels. Traditional methods of producing biofuels, such as pyrolysis and gasification, require
high temperatures and pressures. This can be expensive and energy-intensive. The use of
enzymes does not require high temperatures or pressures, which makes it a more efficient
process (Pandey, 2007).

4.8. Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Environmental Remediation

Microbial enzymes are used in environmental remediation to clean up contaminated soil and
water (Pandey, 2007). Some of the most common enzymes used in environmental remediation
include oxygenases, hydrogenases, and dehalogenases.

● Oxygenases: Oxygenases are used to break down organic pollutants, such as pesticides
and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
● Hydrogenases: Hydrogenases are used to break down inorganic pollutants, such as heavy
metals.
● Dehalogenases: Dehalogenases are used to break down chlorinated pollutants, such as
dioxins and furans.

The use of microbial enzymes in environmental remediation has several advantages. First, it is a
more environmentally friendly way to clean up contaminated soil and water. Traditional methods
of cleaning up contaminated soil and water, such as incineration and landfilling, can release
harmful pollutants into the environment. The use of enzymes does not release any harmful
pollutants into the environment. Second, the use of enzymes is more cost-effective than
Traditional methods of cleaning up contaminated soil and water. Traditional methods of cleaning
up contaminated soil and water can be expensive and time-consuming. The use of enzymes is a
more efficient and cost-effective process (Gupta, 2017).
Conclusion
Microbial enzymes are a valuable resource with a wide variety of applications. They are used in
a variety of industries, and they have the potential to be used to solve environmental
problems. The future of microbial enzyme production and applications is bright, and it is likely
that these enzymes will become even more important in the years to come.
References
Gupta, V. G. (2017). Microbial enzymes: Production, applications, and future trends. Academic
Press.

Pandey, A. (2007). Microbial enzymes: Production, purification, and uses. Springer Science &
Business Media.

Wang, H., & Zhang, X. (2018). Microbial enzymes for sustainable biorefineries. Biofuels,
Bioproducts & Bioenergy, 12(1), 276-292.