Description
BBG liderated by Dr Otero investigates the application of biocatalysts to develop selective processes of synthesis of chemical products of application in different areas: functional foods, nutraceuticals, sustainable chemistry, biomedicine, phamacy, cosmetics, biodiesel, fine chemicals, etc.
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The research Group of Biocatalysis and Bioenergy (BBG) belongs to the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry, which is part of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), The Institute is one of the research centres included in the field of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies.
The group liderated by Dr Otero investigates the application of biocatalysts to develop selective industrial processes in different areas: functional foods, nutraceuticals, sustainable chemistry, biomedicine, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, biodiesel, fine chemicals, etc.
For the industrial development of new selective biocatalytic processes, BBG investigates immobilized enzymes working in both batch and continuous reactors. Since 1987, the group exploits the advantages of lipase-catalysed bioprocesses in water and in the presence of organic solvents in the reaction media (selectivity, especificity, etc). BBG investigates the synthesis of compounds used as food additives or emulsifiers: mono-, di- and triacylglycerides, and fatty acid esters of monosaccharides, polyols, amines, alpha-hydroxyacids, biodiesel and phospholipids. The group has wide experience in most of the techniques that are relevant in the field of Biocatalysis: Methodology for the immobilization/stabilization of enzymes, reaction and reactor engineering. The chemical characterization of products and the progress of the enzymatic reactions are followed by TLC, HPLC, gas-liquid
chromatography, NMR and others.
The laboratory of BBG is integrated in the network of laboratories of Madrid+D, running analysis of FAME, glycerides, biodiesel according to directives EN ISO 9001. Analytical methods mostly used in characterization of food-grade fats and oils, and biodiesel are certified by AENOR (European National Agency of Normalization). Determination of FAMEs, oxidative stability, oil composition in terms of mono-, diand triacylglycerol, free fatty acids, water content, density, viscosity, solid fat content, etc are carried out.
BBG group has established fruitful collaborations with the Dept. Chem. Eng. of Wisconsin Univ., the Technological Institute of Veracruz (Mexico) and Korea University, and has participated in different international programs (NATO, EuropeanUnion, Royal Soc. Of UK, Korean KOSEF, Romanian Academy of Sciences, etc). BBG liderates nacional and international scientific consortia for evaluation and demonstrationof functional properties of new oil formulations for patients with obesity, methabolicsyndrome, diabetes, colesterol, hipertension and cancer, and for pregnants, lactants andold citizens.
BBG has developed a process of synthesis of biodiesel from sunflower oil. The processoptimization involves the design of new catalysts more efficient in the alcoholysisreaction, the reactor design and determination of optimal operational conditions. BBGalso organizes monographic courses about synthesis and characterization of biodiesel,methods of characterization of materials, enzymes, biocatalysis, biotransformations and lipids.
Research Lines of BBG:
–Enzymatic preparation of fats free of trans fatty acids: margarines and others
–Synthesis and characterization of functional lipids and phospholípids, lipids rich or not in polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA (omega-3, omega-6, CLA, etc)
– Synthesis and characterization of biodiesel from plant oils, algae, etc
–Synthesis and characterization of emulsifiers derived from amines, monosacharides, and sorbitol
–Synthesis of a-hydroxyacids, oligosaccharides and others
– Identification and extraction of biomass subproducts (antioxidants, vitamins, phospholipids, antimicrobials, glycerides, fatty acids, etc)
– Characterization of fats, oils and biodiesel according with European directives:
-Chemical characterization (HPLC-mass, CG-mass, etc for FAME, TAG, DAG, MAG, G, free fatty acids, humidity by Karl Fisher, etc)
-Physical and functional characterization (meeting and crystallization profiles of fats, oxidative stability (Rancimat), viscosity, density, etc
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Facilities & Technologies available in BBG
Extraction & Purification of enzymes
Determination of activities and stabilities of biocatalysts
Improvement of the biocatalyst: Immobilization & modification of enzymes
Chemical Analyses of substrates and products according to european directives
Extraction, Separation, & Purification of products mediated or not by
a selective biotransformation: isolation of bioactive products, such
as lipids, phospholipids, antioxidants, vitamins, peptides,
polyphenols, etc.
Processes catalyzed by enzymes (lipases, proteases, cellulases,
phospholipases). Reaction, medium, biocatalyst and reactor
engineerings for the design of optimal processes for each feedstock
materias (according with purity, source, inhibitors presence, etc).
Process Optimization & Development (including scalling up & pilot
plant design) for the obtention of fine chemical products, food
additives, emulsifiers, antioxidants, cosmetics, chiral drugs, etc.
Patented and/or Developed processes by BBG
Selective synthesis of food grade emulsifiers (derived from
monosacharides & poliols)
Synthesis of semisolid fats free of /trans /fatty acids/
Selective synthesis of structured lipids (/Light/, rich in PUFA like
omega-3, etc.)
Selective synthesis of structured phospholipids (/Light/, rich in PUFA
like omega-3, etc..)
Biodiesel production from first to the last generation feedstocks. Two
processes: in stirred tanks and in continuous.
Preparation and Characterization of an advanced spirulina extract with
antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-hypercholesterolemic activities
Physical, Chemical and functional characterization of the different
feedstocks and products
Gas-mases, and liquid-mases chromatographies, NMR, RI, oxidative
stability, fusion and crystallization profiles of fats, plasticity of
fats, viscosity, water content by Karl Fisher, density, etc.
Caracterization of fats, lipids, and biodiesel according with the
european directives (FA composition, glycerides, FAMEs & FAEEs,
oxidative stability and free acid content).
In collaboration with others: Funcional assays in animals
(cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, methabolic syndrome, cancer, etc).
People
Otero Hernández, Cristina – Group leader
Publications
Preparation and Characterization of a Multicomponent/Arthrospira Platensis/ /sp./ Biomass Hydrolysate with Superior Anti-Hypertensive, Anti-Hyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities via Selective Proteolysis.
Year: 2023
Autors: Cristina Otero and Carlos M. Verdasco-Martín
Mar. Drugs Volume 21, Issue 4 (Novel Applications and Technologies for the Industrial Exploitation of Algal Derived Marine Bioactives as Nutraceuticals or Pharmaceuticals 2.0
Spirulina extract improves age-induced vascular dysfunction.
Year: 2022
Autors: Michal Majewski, Mercedes Klett-Mingo, Carlos M. Verdasco-Martín, Cristina Otero and Mercedes Ferrer
Pharmaceutical Biology.VOL. 60, NO. 1, 627-637, 2022,
Immobilized biocatalysts of eversa® transform 2.0 and lipase from thermomyces lanuginosus: Comparison of some properties and performance in biodiesel production.
Year: 2020
Autors: Martínez-Sanchez, J.A., Arana-Peña, S., Carballares, D.,(…), Otero, C., Fernandez-Lafuente, R.
Catalyst10(7), 738, 2020
Advantageous enzyme selective extraction process of essential spirulina oil.
Year: 2020
Autors: Carlos M. Verdasco-Martín, Azahara Díaz-Lozano and Cristina Otero
Catalysis Today. 346, 121–131, 2020.
PROLONGATION OF SECONDARY DRYING STEP OF PHOSPHOLIPID LYOPHILIZATION GREATLY IMPROVES ACIDOLYSIS REACTIONS CATALYZED BY IMMOBILIZED LECITASE ULTRA
Beneficial Effects of Spirulina Aqueous Extract on Vasodilator Function of Arteries from Hypertensive Rats.
Year: 2019
Autors: D.M. Villalpando, C.M. Verdasco-Martín, I. Plaza, J. Gómez-Rivas, F.R. de Bethencourt, M. Villarroel, J.L. García, C. Otero and M. Ferrer
International Journal of Vascular Medicine Volume 2020, Article ID 6657077, 9 pages
Advantageous preparation of digested proteic extracts from Spirulina platensis biomass
Year: 2019
Autors: Carlos M. Verdasco-Martín, Lea Echevarrieta and Cristina Otero
Catalysts 9, 145-, 2019.
Rapid and high yield production of phospholipids enriched in CLA via acidolysis: the critical role of the enzyme immobilization protocol
Selective synthesis of partial glycerides of conjugated linoleic acids via modulation of the catalytic properties of lipases by immobilization on different supports
Optimization of the coating of octyl-CALB with ionic polymers to improve stability and decrease enzyme leakage
Patents
Extracto acuoso con propiedades anti-hipertensivas, anti-hiperlipidémicas, anti-hipercolesterolémicas y antioxidantes.
CSIC has developed an extraction method of spirulina biocomponents with superior actividad anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic y and antioxidant activities of application in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The patent was licesed to a Food Company.