Molecular optimization of a central enzyme in the metabolic pathway of the xylose conversion. Optimized reactor for the enzymatic transformation of the xylose originating from cellulosic wastes.

The project focuses on the innovative use of lignocellulosic wastes, which are abundant but difficult to process due to their complex composition of lignin, hemicellulose and various monosaccharides such as xylose. Traditional methods often resort to incineration of these residues, leading to environmental problems. The main objective of this research is to develop a highly efficient enzyme, phosphoketolase, to convert xylose into high-value biosynthetic intermediates. This enzyme will be obtained from Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Synechocystis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its genes will be cloned, expressed, purified and characterised. In addition, an enzymatic reactor will be designed to optimise this conversion process. 

The reactor will combine a centrifugal heterogeneous unit with classical immobilised enzyme units, optimised by a factorial design of experiments. The aim is to achieve significant improvements in the conversion yield of xylose to valuable intermediates such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and acetyl phosphate. This project builds on previous research in the Department of Enzymology which demonstrated the potential of using phosphoketolase in conjunction with xylose isomerase and xylulose kinase.

 The successful implementation of this project could lead to the reactivation or establishment of new lignocellulosic waste processing facilities in Romania, benefiting industries such as cellulose production and potentially attracting small and medium enterprises interested in sustainable bioprocessing. Ultimately, this research aims to provide an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution to the over-valuation of lignocellulosic residues.