Recipient Organization
PRODIGENE, INC.
1500 RESEARCH PKWY
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77845
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Industrial proteins produced in plants, particularly corn, offer a unique opportunity for industrial scale production of enzymes at competitive prices and yields that will address markets that cannot be addressed today. These corn-produced enzymes open the possibility to address such large markets as pulp bleaching, textile bleaching, bio-glues and enzymatic remediation of waste streams. The goal is to show efficacy, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of applying oxidative enzymes derived from transgenic corn seed material in these processes. The results of these experiments will define efficacious applications of laccase and manganese peroxidase produced from a corn matrix, and thus direct potential commercial outlets for this new source of redox enzymes.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This SBIR Phase I project is to investigate the potential for using oxidative enzymes derived from a novel matrix in a market chosen from the fields of pulp bleaching, textile bleaching, enzymatic remediation or bio-glue a novel matrix. The phase I objective is to perform bench-top experiments in each of these areas to identify the conditions necessary to achieve success in applying oxidative enzymes derived from transgenic corn seed material in these processes. These experiements will be conducted in collaboration with several laboratories in which expertise resides.
Project Methods
In this proposal, manganese-dependent peroxidase and laccase, expressed at high levels in transgenic corn seed, will be tested in applications that aim for chemical-free pulp bleaching, peroxidase-free textile bleaching, formaldehyde-free glued wood products and reduced phenolic contaminants in waste streams. Once efficacy of these enzyme products has been demonstrated, a Phase II proposal will be submitted to scale-up applications trials to demonstrate commercial potential.