2013 Annual Report
1a.Objectives (from AD-416):
The objective of the collaborative work is to isolate and express the lipase gene(s), and then proceed to characterize the enzymatic properties of the gene-products from Candida bombicola yeast used in the production of the biosurfactant sophorolipid.
1b.Approach (from AD-416):
Using a polymerase-chain-reaction gene-fishing approach developed and routinely used in our laboratory, the lipase gene(s) will be cloned from Candida bombicola – a yeast species that produces sophorolipid biosurfactant. The genes will be expressed in E.coli or other suitable host, and the enzymes will be purified and characterized by following common methodologies. Their application potential in the synthesis of nutraceuticals through interesterification reactions and in the formulation of washing mixes will be assessed.
In this reporting period, project researchers explored the use of sophorolipids as an emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions of nutraceutical structured lipids. A manuscript describing the study is now published in a peer-reviewed journal.