Harnessing biodiversity: breakthroughs in enzyme technology

Enzymes are indispensable catalysts in numerous industrial processes, spanning applications in fine and specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and aquafeed, textiles, cosmetics, and more. Their appeal lies not only in their efficiency but also in their non-toxic and biodegradable nature, which positions them as sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical additives or catalysts. 

By enabling cleaner, more resource- and energy-efficient processes, enzymes offer a pathway to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry. However, the discovery of new enzymes—especially those suited to extreme conditions or specific industrial requirements—remains a complex and resource-intensive endeavor. 

The growing global demand for enzymes with enhanced substrate specificity, stability, and performance under extreme conditions, such as high sugar or salt concentrations, presents both challenges and opportunities. While marine environments hold enormous potential as a source of novel enzymes, the process of identifying, testing, and validating these enzymes is anything but straightforward. This is where the Enzymares project steps in.

The Enzymares project, a collaborative initiative supported by VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and spearheaded by Catalisti, Blue Cluster, and Flanders’ FOOD, seeks to revolutionise the enzyme discovery pathway. Ghent University, KU Leuven, VIB, Bio Base Europe Plant and VITO are research partners in the project. 

Running from 2021 to 2025, this intercluster Strategic Basic Research project has been developing a comprehensive enzyme prediction toolbox in order to enhance the speed and efficiency of enzyme discovery and validation. 

The toolbox screens biological resources from unique culture collections and integrates ecological data, molecular information and industrial process parameters into a unified framework with the aim of delivering enzymes that are not only novel but also tailored to specific industrial needs.

Marine environments are particularly promising for enzyme discovery due to the unique adaptations of marine organisms to extreme habitats. These adaptations often result in enzymes capable of functioning under challenging conditions, such as high pressure, low temperatures, or high salt concentrations. 

While much current research focuses on microbial enzymes, the Enzymares project also explores the potential of enzymes from more complex eukaryotic organisms, expanding the reservoir of possibilities for industrial applications.

Central to the project is a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in marine molecular ecology, microbiology, protein biochemistry, bioprocess technology, bioinformatics, and machine learning. The project is structured around two key research pillars. 

The first pillar involves the development of an AI-powered dashboard to predict optimal enzymes for industrial applications. Using advanced algorithms and large-scale omics datasets, this dashboard will enable researchers to identify and prioritise candidate enzymes based on their predicted performance and suitability for specific industrial processes.

The second research pillar focuses on the experimental validation and benchmarking of these candidate enzymes, aimingto assess enzyme performance under real-life conditions and optimize production processes. This integration of prediction and validation ensures that the enzymes identified are not only theoretically promising but also practically viable for industrial use.

One of the most significant innovations of the Enzymares project is its holistic approach. By implementing the entire enzyme discovery pipeline—from identifying industry requirements to delivering validated enzymes ready for production—within a single project, Enzymares aims to reduce the time-to-market for new enzymes. This streamlined process not only accelerates the pace of innovation but also expands the application potential of enzymatic catalysis across industries.

By unlocking the diversity of marine enzymes and providing industry with tailored solutions, the project supports the transition to more sustainable industrial processes. From enabling the production of biodegradable plastics to enhancing the efficiency of food production, the potential applications are vast. Through its innovative approach, Enzymares exemplifies the power of collaboration and multidisciplinary research in addressing pressing challenges for our industries.

As the project comes to its conclusion, its outcomes have the potential to influence the role of enzymes in industrial innovation. By making the discovery process faster, more efficient, and more targeted, Enzymares not only contributes to the advancement of enzyme technology but also supports broader goals of sustainability and environmental stewardship. In doing so, it paves the way for a future where industrial processes are as efficient as they are sustainable.

The Industrial Advisory Board of the Enzymares project consists of the following companies: AB Mauri, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, B4Plastics, BASF, Bienca, Cargill, ChemStream, GSR (DEME), Flen Health, IMAQUA, INVE, Kemin, Nutrition Sciences, Open Analytics, Proviron, Puratos, Tereos, and Globachem.