Chapter 11
Enzymes
Abstract Enzymes play important roles in catalyzing biological processes such
as breaking down complex compounds in food into simpler forms which can be
utilized to produce energy and aid metabolism and growth. These enzymes are also
used commercially in products such as biological cleaning agents, biofuel, food and
medicine. Aquatic sources of enzymes include internal organs of fish, carnivorous
plants and microorganisms. Organisms which inhabit extreme aquatic environments
are also sources of enzymes which perform better than other enzymes in industrial
processes. Some aquatic enzymes also provide the option of more environmentally
friendly processes for biofuel production.
Keywords Enzymes · Aquatic · Proteins · Extremozymes · Biopolymers
11.1 Introduction
In other chapters of this book, different forms of proteins such as collagen, aquatic
plants and algae proteins have been covered. Enzymes are discussed in a separate
chapter as they are indeed a diverse group of compounds, and their source, processing
and commercialization can be differentiated from other proteins. While the majority
of enzymes are sourced from microorganisms, plants and terrestrial animals, the
aquatic environment is a great source of a wide variety of enzymes. Since 70% of the
earth is made up of water and life itself is thought to have begun in water, the aquatic
environment is therefore expected to be an even more abundant source of enzymes
compared to land.
Enzymes play numerous roles in a range of food, pharmaceutical, chemicals and
cleaning products. Their use also extends to biofuel production where enzymatic
transesterification of fats can be used in biodiesel production as an alternative to
the alkali-catalyzed transesterification. A number of processes would either occur
too slowly to be commercially feasible or not at all without the use of enzymes.
In food processing, enzymes are used in the production of products such as fish
sauce, they are also employed in more effective alternative processes for product
preparation such as fish descaling. Within the chapter, some of the different industrial
applications of different enzymes are discussed. The origins of these enzymes, the
© Springer International Publishing 2020
O. Olatunji, Aquatic Biopolymers, Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34709-3_11
233
Enzymes
Abstract Enzymes play important roles in catalyzing biological processes such
as breaking down complex compounds in food into simpler forms which can be
utilized to produce energy and aid metabolism and growth. These enzymes are also
used commercially in products such as biological cleaning agents, biofuel, food and
medicine. Aquatic sources of enzymes include internal organs of fish, carnivorous
plants and microorganisms. Organisms which inhabit extreme aquatic environments
are also sources of enzymes which perform better than other enzymes in industrial
processes. Some aquatic enzymes also provide the option of more environmentally
friendly processes for biofuel production.
Keywords Enzymes · Aquatic · Proteins · Extremozymes · Biopolymers
11.1 Introduction
In other chapters of this book, different forms of proteins such as collagen, aquatic
plants and algae proteins have been covered. Enzymes are discussed in a separate
chapter as they are indeed a diverse group of compounds, and their source, processing
and commercialization can be differentiated from other proteins. While the majority
of enzymes are sourced from microorganisms, plants and terrestrial animals, the
aquatic environment is a great source of a wide variety of enzymes. Since 70% of the
earth is made up of water and life itself is thought to have begun in water, the aquatic
environment is therefore expected to be an even more abundant source of enzymes
compared to land.
Enzymes play numerous roles in a range of food, pharmaceutical, chemicals and
cleaning products. Their use also extends to biofuel production where enzymatic
transesterification of fats can be used in biodiesel production as an alternative to
the alkali-catalyzed transesterification. A number of processes would either occur
too slowly to be commercially feasible or not at all without the use of enzymes.
In food processing, enzymes are used in the production of products such as fish
sauce, they are also employed in more effective alternative processes for product
preparation such as fish descaling. Within the chapter, some of the different industrial
applications of different enzymes are discussed. The origins of these enzymes, the
© Springer International Publishing 2020
O. Olatunji, Aquatic Biopolymers, Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34709-3_11
233