Industrial potential of lipoxygenases

Abstract

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are iron- or manganese-containing oxidative enzymes found in plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. LOXs catalyze the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to the corresponding highly reactive hydroperoxides. Production of hydroperoxides by LOX can be exploited in different applications such as in bleaching of colored components, modification of lipids originating from different raw materials, production of lipid derived chemicals and production of aroma compounds. Most application research has been carried out using soybean LOX, but currently the use of microbial LOXs has also been reported. Development of LOX composition with high activity by heterologous expression in suitable production hosts would enable full exploitation of the potential of LOX derived reactions in different applications. Here, we review the biological role of LOXs, their heterologous production, as well as potential use in different applications. LOXs may fulfill an important role in the design of processes that are far more environmental friendly than currently used chemical reactions. Difficulties in screening for the optimal enzymes and producing LOX enzymes in sufficient amounts prevent large-scale application so far. With this review, we summarize current knowledge of LOX enzymes and the way in which they can be produced and applied.

Secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lipoxygenase by Pichia pastoris upon Glycerol Feed

“…Lipoxygenases (LOXs; EC 1.13.11.X) are non‐heme iron or manganese containing enzymes, which are widely abundant in animals, plants, fungi as well as bacteria. [ 1,2 ] LOXs catalyze the peroxidation of (poly)unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), both regio‐ and stereospecifically, forming hydroperoxides (HPOs), that is, in case of 13‐LOX, 13‐hydroperoxy‐9,11‐octadecadienoic acid (13‐HPOD), and 13‐hydroperoxy‐9,11,15‐octadecatrienoic acid (13‐HPOT) from linoleic and linolenic acid, respectively.…”

Engineering and application of enzymes for lipid modification, an update

“…Production of hydroperoxides mediated by LOXs can be exploited in different industrial applications, including bleaching of colored components in food, paper and textile processes; modification of lipids from different raw materials and production of oleochemicals and aroma compounds. Despite this great potential, the development of industrial applications involving this class of enzymes is currently hampered by the poor stability, low catalytic activity and lack of efficient overexpression systems capable to produce sufficient amounts of enzymes [84]. So far, the main commercial application reported is the bleaching of wheat flour where the carotenoid pigments are oxidized by LOX enriched soybean flour [85].…”

Synthesis of Linoleic Acid 13-Hydroperoxides from Safflower Oil Utilizing Lipoxygenase in a Coupled Enzyme System with In-Situ Oxygen Generation

“…Applications of LOX include bleaching of colored components, utilization as baking additive or the synthesis of oxygenated lipid derivatives [9][10][11]. The main biocatalytic application is the production of natural green note aroma compounds for the flavor and fragrance industry by combined action of LOX and hydroperoxide lyase for splitting of the hydroperoxides [8,12,13].…”