Maximizing Stability in Industrial Enzymes: Rational Design Approach – A Review

Indigenous enzymes found in nature have found wide application in industries ascribable to their ability to catalyze complex chemical processes under moderate experimental and environmental conditions. However, the use of indigenous enzymes is yet to achieve the needed industrial goal for, indigenous enzymes are readily unstable when subjected to harsh environmental conditions. Since the emergence of recombinant DNA technology and recent developments in protein engineering in recent years, there have been continuous reports regarding enzyme stability – most especially by the introduction of site-directed mutagenesis. With these new developments, scientists have been able to engineer enzymes using a variety of strategies in rational design such as the introduction of disulfide bridges and engineering hydrophobic residues. This review aims to highlight rational design methods and enzyme immobilization from various studies, which may be used to increase stability in industrial enzymes.