Hawassa University
Department of Biotechnology
ENZYMOLOGY AND ENZYME TECHNOLOGY (BIOT-4131)
Eshet Lakew Tesfaye
(MSc. Industrial
Biotechnology)
Email: eshetbiot@[Link]
Introduction to Enzymes
Enzymes are (biological catalysts/
biocatalysts)
that speed up biochemical reactions in
living organisms.
An enzyme carries out its activity
without being consumed in the
reaction,
and the reaction occurs at a very much
higher rate when the enzyme is present.
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The word ‘enzyme’ first used by the
German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne in
1878,
when he was describing the ability of
yeast to produce alcohol from sugars,
and it is derived from the Greek words:
en(meaning ‘within’) and
zume(meaning ‘yeast’).
3
In the late 19th century and early
20th century, significant advances
were made,
in the extraction,
characterization and
commercial exploitation of many
enzymes.
4
• It was believed that all enzymes
were proteins, but in the 1980s it
was found that,
some ribonucleic acid (RNA)
molecules are also able to exert
catalytic effects.
» These RNAs, which are called
ribozymes,
play an important role in gene
expression.
Q= Why gene expression?
5
biochemists also developed the
technology to generate
antibodies that possess catalytic
properties.
These so-called ‘abzymes’ have
significant potential both as,
novel industrial catalysts &
therapeutics.
Q= Discuss their role in
therapeutics?
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As catalysts, enzymes are only
required in very low
concentrations,
and they speed up reactions
without themselves being
consumed during the reaction.
Enzymes are highly specific and
function only on designated types
of compounds – substrates.
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Enzyme Technology
Without enzymes, there can be no
life.
Although enzymes are only formed in
living cells,
many can be separated from the
cells and can continue to function
in vitro.
8
This unique ability of enzymes to
perform their specific chemical
transformations in isolation has led
to an ever-increasing use of enzymes
in:
» industrial and food processes,
» bioremediation, and
» medicine, and
their production is collectively
termed ‘enzyme technology’
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Goals and Potential of
Biotechnological Production
Processes
Biomass–that is, renewable raw
materials,
has been and will continue to be a
sustainable resource,
that is required to meet a variety of
human material needs.
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ENZYMES IN ANTIQUITY
Enzymes were used,
» wine making(ancient Babylon,
2100B.C.)
» vinegar production,
which is based on the enzymatic
conversion of alcohol to acetic acid.
Vinegar, was used for:
food storage and preparation
medicinal purposes.
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» Dairy products,
Because in those days fresh milk
could not be stored for any
reasonable length of time.
Cheese is prepared by curdling
milk via the action of enzymes.
» Meat tenderizing,
the juice of the papaya fruit will
soften even the toughest meats.
The active enzyme in this plant
extract is known as papain, etc.
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ENZYMOLOGY TODAY
Enzymes are used:
» as stereospecific chemical
synthesis,
» laundry detergents,
» and cleaning kits for contact
lenses, etc.
More on CHAPTER-7 ✍️✍️✍️
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