Researchers at Delft University of Technology, in collaboration with the South China University of Technology, have discovered a unique property in a group of enzymes naturally occurring in fungi. This discovery sheds new light on biochemistry, the science that studies how chemical processes work in living beings. The research, led by Frank Hollmann and Ulf Hanefeld, demonstrates how natural catalysts can carry out chemical reactions in water without the water disrupting the process.
In traditional chemistry, water is often a problem. Making everyday products like biodiesel or building blocks for bioplastics requires a process that transforms molecules. When this happens in an aqueous environment, water tends to directly attack and break down these molecules. This degradation process is called hydrolysis. To prevent this, the industry currently often uses organic solvents. These are effective, but unfortunately, they are often flammable or toxic, and therefore harmful to the environment.
The Delft breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications, revolves around a specific mutant of an enzyme from the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. While testing this enzyme, the researchers observed something that seemed theoretically almost impossible. The enzyme performed the desired reaction perfectly, while not a single molecule was broken down by the water. The water was present, but simply had no chance to disrupt the reaction.
The explanation for this lies in an ingenious structure the researchers call a molecular bouncer. The active cavity of the enzyme is where the chemical reaction takes place. This cavity is extremely water-repellent. While the enzyme itself floats in the water, this cavity creates a microscopic dry bubble inside. The bouncer works very selectively because the necessary building blocks are allowed in, but water molecules are resolutely kept out.
This discovery is a crucial piece of the puzzle for biochemistry and demonstrates that enzymes are more versatile than previously thought. An enzyme that naturally processes alcohols, with a minor modification, can also drive complex building processes in an aqueous environment. Scientists have been searching for a way to achieve this for thirty years, as reactions in water occur much more naturally and energy-efficiently than in chemical solvents.
Although it will take time before this technique is widely applied in factories, the fundamental research offers a clear direction. By better understanding nature's "snatching" method, chemists can more effectively search for environmentally friendly alternatives to current production processes. The research proves that nature often already has clever solutions ready for the challenges of a more sustainable industry.
Source: tudelft.nl
Research: Nature.com
Photo by RephiLe water on Unsplash
