Projects per year
Abstract
4-Nitrophenyl ferulate and 4-nitrophenyl coumarate have been synthesised as chromogenic substrates for measurement of the activity of feruloyl esterases. These enzymes have been isolated from a number of fungi and are found in micro-organisms involved in the degradation of plant material. Ferulic and para-coumaric acid were coupled with 4-nitrophenol using water-soluble carbodiimide to yield 4-nitrophenyl ferulate and 4-nitrophenyl coumarate, respectively. Maize, tall fescue and Miscanthus varieties, transformed with an Aspergillus niger ferulic acid esterase (FAE) gene, were analysed for activity using these synthetic substrates. This technique gave a rapid measurement of enzymic activity when compared with the conventional HPLC assay. This colorimetric assay was also more sensitive and accurate for determining rates of activity. A rapid high-throughput assay, based on substrates described here, would greatly facilitate identification of enzymes with potential to increase the efficiency of sugar release from lignocellulosic biomass and thereby reduce costs of processing.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 300-311 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Chemistry & Biology Interface |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 31 Oct 2016 |
Keywords
- para-nitrophenyl ferulate
- para-nitrophenyl coumarate
- feruloyl esterase
- coumaroyl esterase
- rapid screen
- HPLC-PDA
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Dive into the research topics of 'An efficient assay for ferulic acid esterase and para-coumaric acid esterases in plants at physiologically relevant activities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Ifat Shah
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Life Sciences - Senior Lecturer
Person: Teaching And Research
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Energy Grasses and Biorefining (EGB) ISPG
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01 Apr 2012 → 31 Mar 2017
Project: Externally funded research
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Biorefining Centre of Excellence (BEACON)
Fish, S. A.
01 Apr 2010 → 31 Mar 2015
Project: Externally funded research