Biomimetic CO2 capture using a highly thermostable bacterial α-carbonic anhydrase immobilized on a polyurethane foam. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Migliardini, Fortunato; De Luca, Viviana; Carginale, Vincenzo; Rossi, Mosè; Corbo, Pasquale; Supuran, Claudiu T.; Capasso, Clemente
• Is Part Of: Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry. Volume 29:Number 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Enzyme inhibitors -- Periodicals; Enzyme Inhibitors -- periodicals; Biochemistry -- periodicals; 572.7
• DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2012.761608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-6366

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The biomimetic approach represents an interesting strategy for carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) capture, offering advantages over other methods, due to its specificity for CO<sub>2</sub> and its eco-compatibility, as it allows concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> from other gases, and its conversion to water soluble ions. This approach uses microorganisms capable of fixing CO<sub>2</sub> through metabolic pathways or via the use of an enzyme, such as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). Recently, our group cloned and purified a novel bacterial α-CA, named SspCA, from the thermophilic bacteria, <italic>Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense</italic> YO3AOP1 living in hot springs at temperatures of up to 110 °C. This enzyme showed an exceptional thermal stability, retaining its high catalytic activity for the CO<sub>2</sub> hydration reaction even after being heated at 70 °C for several hours. In the present paper, the SspCA was immobilized within a polyurethane (PU) foam. The immobilized enzyme was found to be catalytically active and showed a long-term stability. A bioreactor containing the "PU-immobilized enzyme" (PU-SspCA) as shredded foam was used for experimental tests aimed to verify the CO<sub>2</sub> capture capability in conditions close to those of a power plant application. In this bioreactor, a gas phase, containing CO<sub>2</sub>, was put into contact with a liquid phase under conditions, where CO<sub>2</sub> contained in the gas phase was absorbed and efficiently converted into bicarbonate by the extremo-α-CA.</p> </abstract>