11.1 Introduction
235
where the gene coding for enzyme production from an aquatic organism can be
placed in the nucleus of that of another organism which grows more effectively at
the industrial scale. Microorganisms can be cultured in bioreactors which mimic the
conditions in the part of the aquatic environment they inhabit for large-scale enzyme
production. Within this chapter, we discuss an example process for production of
enzymes from microorganisms obtained from the aquatic habitat.
Thus far within this text, we have discussed the main polymers extracted from
algae for commercial applications. These include the common ones such as alginates,
carrageenan and agar and those produced in lesser amounts like fucoidan, laminarin
and ulvan. In the process of extraction of these biopolymers, the enzymes are mainly
discarded or destroyed alongside other residues. However, algae are a source of a
variety of enzymes of commercial value. It is therefore worth exploring the potential
for commercial enzyme production from algae.
This chapter therefore explores the diversity of enzymes which are obtained from
the aquatic environment, and how the aquatic-sourced enzymes differ from those
of the terrestrial origin and in doing so the economic and environmental impact of
aquatic-derived enzymes.
11.2 Occurrence in Nature
The aquatic environment is host to a diverse range of organisms. These organisms
have adapted the means to survive a range of conditions which range from mild
to extreme temperature, light, salinity and pressure. The complexity of life in the
aquatic environment has resulted in the organisms inhabiting the aquatic environment
evolving a range of biochemical processes for survival. These biochemical processes
are catalyzed by the diverse range of enzymes, thus making the aquatic environment
a formidable source of enzymes. Microorganisms, plants and animals within the
aquatic environment metabolize enzymes which have several industrial applications.
Some of these such as lipase and proteases are well established commercially, while
some are still at infancy in terms of commercial application.
11.2.1 Microorganisms
The ease of genetic manipulation and mass culture for commercial production make
microorganisms attractive source of commercial enzymes. Moraxella from Antarctic
seawater and marine streptomycete are examples of microorganisms which produce
the enzyme lipase (Zhang and Kim 2010). Vibrio fluvialis, Listonella anguillarum and
Vibrio mimicus are examples of marine bacteria which produce the enzyme chitinase
which hydrolyzes chitin. Microorganisms play a significant role in the breakdown
of the dead tissue, and organisms in the aquatic environment, for example, the shed
scales of marine zooplankton, are converted to carbon and energy by microorganisms
235
where the gene coding for enzyme production from an aquatic organism can be
placed in the nucleus of that of another organism which grows more effectively at
the industrial scale. Microorganisms can be cultured in bioreactors which mimic the
conditions in the part of the aquatic environment they inhabit for large-scale enzyme
production. Within this chapter, we discuss an example process for production of
enzymes from microorganisms obtained from the aquatic habitat.
Thus far within this text, we have discussed the main polymers extracted from
algae for commercial applications. These include the common ones such as alginates,
carrageenan and agar and those produced in lesser amounts like fucoidan, laminarin
and ulvan. In the process of extraction of these biopolymers, the enzymes are mainly
discarded or destroyed alongside other residues. However, algae are a source of a
variety of enzymes of commercial value. It is therefore worth exploring the potential
for commercial enzyme production from algae.
This chapter therefore explores the diversity of enzymes which are obtained from
the aquatic environment, and how the aquatic-sourced enzymes differ from those
of the terrestrial origin and in doing so the economic and environmental impact of
aquatic-derived enzymes.
11.2 Occurrence in Nature
The aquatic environment is host to a diverse range of organisms. These organisms
have adapted the means to survive a range of conditions which range from mild
to extreme temperature, light, salinity and pressure. The complexity of life in the
aquatic environment has resulted in the organisms inhabiting the aquatic environment
evolving a range of biochemical processes for survival. These biochemical processes
are catalyzed by the diverse range of enzymes, thus making the aquatic environment
a formidable source of enzymes. Microorganisms, plants and animals within the
aquatic environment metabolize enzymes which have several industrial applications.
Some of these such as lipase and proteases are well established commercially, while
some are still at infancy in terms of commercial application.
11.2.1 Microorganisms
The ease of genetic manipulation and mass culture for commercial production make
microorganisms attractive source of commercial enzymes. Moraxella from Antarctic
seawater and marine streptomycete are examples of microorganisms which produce
the enzyme lipase (Zhang and Kim 2010). Vibrio fluvialis, Listonella anguillarum and
Vibrio mimicus are examples of marine bacteria which produce the enzyme chitinase
which hydrolyzes chitin. Microorganisms play a significant role in the breakdown
of the dead tissue, and organisms in the aquatic environment, for example, the shed
scales of marine zooplankton, are converted to carbon and energy by microorganisms