Aims:  This work describes the isolation and characterization of two new alkaliphilic micro‐organisms present in nejayote. Methods and Results:  Samples of fresh industrial nejayote were plated on nejayote medium and incubated for 4 days at 37°C. Isolates were identified based on morphological and physiological characteristics, as well as 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Two gram‐positive strains, NJY2 and NJY4, able to hydrolyse starch, xylan, and gelatin were isolated from nejayote. Comparative sequence analysis of 16S rDNA and phylogenetic studies indicate that the micro‐organisms studied were closely related to members of the Bacillus flexus species. The strains were identified as facultative alkaliphilic salt tolerant bacteria. Isolate NJY2 produced cell associated phenolic acid esterases, able to release ferulic acid from nixtamalised corn bran and ethyl and methyl esters. Conclusions:  The isolated strains of B. flexus NJY2 and NJY4 showed important physiological properties to produce high‐value molecules from agroindustrial by‐products. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This is the first report about the isolation of alkaliphilic micro‐organisms from nejayote and the first report of phenolic acid esterases synthesised by alkaliphiles. The new alkaliphilic micro‐organisms have potential application in the treatment and transformation of tortilla industry residues.

Chlorophene is an important antimicrobial agent present in disinfectant products which has been related to health and environmental effects, and its detection has been limited to chromatographic techniques. Thus, there is a lack of research that attempts to develop new analytical tools, such as biosensors, that address the detection of this emerging pollutant. Therefore, a new biosensor for the direct detection of chlorophene in real water is presented, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and using a laccase enzyme as a recognition element. The biosensor chip was obtained by covalent immobilization of the laccase on a gold-coated surface through carbodiimide esters. The analytical parameters accomplished resulted in a limit of detection and quantification of 0.33 mg/L and 1.10 mg/L, respectively, fulfilling the concentrations that have already been detected in environmental samples. During the natural river’s measurements, no significant matrix effects were observed, obtaining a recovery percentage of 109.21% ± 7.08, which suggested that the method was suitable for the fast and straightforward analysis of this contaminant. Finally, the SPR measurements were validated with an HPLC method, which demonstrated no significant difference in terms of precision and accuracy, leading to the conclusion that the biosensor reflects its potential as an alternative analytical tool for the monitoring of chlorophene in aquatic environments.

This study analyzed the thermostability and effect of calcium ions on the enzymatic activity of α-amylase produced by Bacillus licheniformis strain LB04 isolated from Espinazo Hot springs in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The enzyme was immobilized by entrapment on agar-agarose beads, with an entrapment yield of 19.9%. The identification of the bacteria was carried out using 16s rDNA sequencing. The enzyme was purified through ion exchange chromatography (IEX) in a DEAE-Sephadex column, revealing a protein with a molecular weight of ≈130 kDa. The enzyme was stable at pH 3.0 and heat stable up to 80 °C. However, the optimum conditions were reached at 65 °C and pH 3.0, with a specific activity of 1851.7 U mg−1 ± 1.3. The agar-agarose immobilized α-amylase had a hydrolytic activity nearly 25% higher when compared to the free enzyme. This study provides critical information for the understanding of the enzymatic profile of B. licheniformis strain LB04 and the potential application of the microorganisms at an industrial level, specifically in the food industry.

Recently, the crystal structure of the feruloyl esterase A from Aspergillus niger (AnFaeA) was elucidated. This enzyme displays an α/β hydrolase fold and a catalytic triad similar to that found in fungal lipases (30-37% identity). Surprisingly, AnFaeA showed an overall fold similarity with the Rhizomucor miehei and other related fungal lipases. All these data strongly suggest that the ancestral function (lipase) had shifted, with molecular adaptation leading to a novel enzyme (type-A feruloyl esterase). The discovery of new feruloyl esterases could lead to get insight into the evolutionary pathways of these enzymes and into new possibilities of directed evolution of lipases. In this chapter, the production of Bacillus flexus NJY2 feruloyl esterases is described. Unlike the previously described feruloyl esterases, which mostly belong to eukaryotes (mainly fungus), this unique feruloyl esterases from a prokaryotic alkaliphile microorganism could be the starting point for new discoveries on lipase and feruloyl esterase evolutionary relationships.

Lignocellulosic biomass can be used to obtain fermentable sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis, and also it serves as a carbon source to produce cellulases by solid-state fermentation. In this study, we propose the use of leaves of Agave salmiana as a carbon source to produce cellulases by the fungus Penicillium sp., isolated from the same plant. The crude enzymatic extract was used to obtain sugars from the hydrolysis of the parenchymal cells of the leaves. The enzymes produced were characterized (endoglucanase 14.4 U/g; exoglucanase 3.5 U/g; β-glucosidase 4.14 U/g). The enzymes showed activities at elevated temperatures: 50°C for endoglucanase and exoglucanase and 70°C for β-glucosidase. Furthermore, the crude enzymatic extract obtained was able to hydrolyze the parenchyma in 51.6% in 48 h. The evidence presented in this paper shows the potential of the agave leaves as a source of carbon in the production of enzymes by fermentation with the consequent production of reducing sugars. In addition, the enzymes produced by Penicillium sp. could be used in the production of bioethanol, since they work at high temperatures.