Microbial Enzymes and Biotransformations

Leading experts in enzyme manipulation describe in detail their cutting-edge techniques for the screening, evolution, production, immobilization, and application of enzymes. These readily reproducible methods can be used to improve enzyme function by directed evolution, to covalently immobilize enzymes, to microencapsulate enzymes and cells, and to manufacture enzymes for human health, nutrition, and environmental protection. Overview chapters on microorganisms as a source of metabolic and enzymatic diversity, and on the fast-moving field of enzyme biosensors are presented. Microbial Enzymes and Biotransformations offers laboratory and industrial scientists a wealth of proven enzymatic protocols that show clearly how to go from laboratory results to successful industrial applications. The application of recombinant DNA technology to industrial fermentation and the production of enzymes over the last 20 years has produced a host of useful chemical and biochemical substances. In Microbial Enzymes and Biotransformations, leading experts in enzyme manipulation describe in detail their cutting-edge techniques for the screening, evolution, production, immobilization, and application of enzymes. These readily reproducible methods can be used to improve enzyme function by directed evolution, to covalently immobilize enzymes, to microencapsulate enzymes and cells, and to manufacture enzymes for human health, nutrition, and environmental protection. Two overview chapters consider microorganisms as a source of metabolic and enzymatic diversity, and enzymes in the fast-moving field of enzyme biosensors. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Biotechnology series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. A companion volume, Microbial Processes and Products, provides laboratory procedures