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BIOCHEMISTRY ENZYMES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Enzymes have been used in biotechnology for millennia. Without realising it, ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used the enzyme systems of yeast to make bread and brew beer. Recently purified enzymes have been used.. Enzymes are useful for a number of reasons:
Some examples of enzymes used in biotechnology Lactase Lactase is used to remove the sugar lactose from milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance
Some
people are intolerant of lactose in milk they cannot
digest it. References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Source: Lactase enzyme (β-galactosidase) is extracted from fungi such as Aspergillus oryzae. Ref: Wikipedia Substrate: Lactose Reaction
This is a hydrolysis reaction Advantages: Lactose intolerance around the world:
Most
children are tolerant to lactose up to the age of 2
years. From that point on in many peoples the synthesis
of lactase enzyme in the digestive stem diminishes and
they become lactose intolerant. Tolerance to lactose
into adulthood seems to reflect a cultural dependence
on dairy products. Glucose oxidase (GOD or GOx) Used in glucose testing strips for diabetics. The diabetic can test themselves simply by pricking their finger with a sterile needle and placing a drop of blood on the end of the test strip. The pastel at the end of the strip contains the two enzymes (one is GOx) and a dye. Source: The mould Aspergillus niger
Substrate:
Glucose
Advantages Pectinase Some fruit juices (e.g. lemon juice and black current juice) sell more easily if they are transparent solutions. Raw fruit juice is cloudy. This cloudiness is caused by insoluble pectins (large polysaccharides). Pectinase is used to remove the cloudiness. Source: Fungi such as Aspergillus Pectinase is in fact a mixture of enzymes Substrate: Pectins Optimum pH: 5 Optimum temperature: 45 to 55°C
Advantages
Clears
the fruit juice making it more saleable
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© Paul Billiet 2008 |
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