Project Number: 1935-41000-090-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2009
End Date: Feb 01, 2013

Objective:
The objective of the collaborative work is to isolate and express the lipase gene(s), and then proceed to characterize the enzymatic properties of the gene-products from Candida bombicola yeast used in the production of the biosurfactant sophorolipid.

Approach:
Using a polymerase-chain-reaction gene-fishing approach developed and routinely used in our laboratory, the lipase gene(s) will be cloned from Candida bombicola – a yeast species that produces sophorolipid biosurfactant. The genes will be expressed in E.coli or other suitable host, and the enzymes will be purified and characterized by following common methodologies. Their application potential in the synthesis of nutraceuticals through interesterification reactions and in the formulation of washing mixes will be assessed.