Enzyme technologies are a key to many products and processes in the bioeconomy. When we speak of “enzyme technologies” we are talking about using specialized biological catalysts to accomplish our industrial process. Enzymes are everywhere—they are proteins in all living organisms that do work. The advantage of using enzymes in the industry is that they yield specific products and are environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical catalysts. All enzymes are biodegradable.
There are many enzyme technologies. One of the best-known industrial enzymes, commonly known as glucose isomerase, is used to manufacture high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Many similar examples exist where a specific enzyme is used to modify one compound into another with greater commercial value. While there are many commercial uses of enzymes, other common uses are to prepare recombinant DNA in synthetic biology and as indicator systems in diagnostic or analytical methods.
An expert in these technologies has training in biological sciences, more specifically in biochemistry. Someone with this training knows to look for conditions to meet the customers’ product goals, but with parameters that will allow the enzyme to function efficiently. Enzymes generally work best in water-based solvents, between 75-150oF, and in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. These environmentally friendly conditions allow for easier clean-up and lower regulatory oversight.
An expert in enzyme technologies can assist clients in many ways. They can determine the proper enzyme for the application, determine how much of a specific enzyme would be required for the application on a daily/monthly/annual basis. Finally, a source of the enzyme is critical to ensure the processing can be done in a timely manner. Because the patent landscape around enzyme technologies is dense, an expert can help to determine freedom to operate and whether a process is open source and is an expert witness in litigation involving enzymes or the technology surrounding them and recommend potential suppliers.
Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in biofuels and renewable fuels, and the more common areas like biomaterials, biomass and biomass power, feedstocks, and biotechnologies, including enzyme technologies. In these larger consulting groups, one will also find expertise in other biofuels like algae biofuels, aviation/bio-jet fuels, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, advanced biofuels, biodiesel, renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, renewable and biochemicals, biogas, syngas, biochar, bio coals, biobutanol, pyrolysis oil, and producer gas, wood pellets.
With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting has experts in many specific clean and renewable areas, including anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid-state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag-biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen. This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one-stop-shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.
Look at our experts and the services we provide. Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters. For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full-service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact. See the video about LEC here. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.
