Application of Enzymes in Biotechnology
Biotechnology can be dated back far longer than most people realise. Its roots can be traced back thousands of years, when early civilisations first used yeast to make alcohol. This discovery marked the earliest use of biotechnology in food production.
As biological and social sciences evolved, even biotechnology did. The term usually refers to creating or modifying products using living organisms or biological systems. Modern biotechnology now includes advanced fields like genetic engineering, immunology, medical diagnostics, and therapy.
An important part of biotechnology is enzymes, nature’s own catalysts. Think of them as tools and machines of biological processes. They help living cells build, break down, and transform substances with incredible precision. Outside the body, these same enzymes are extracted and used across industries for everything from food processing to medicine, textiles, and environmental applications.
What Are Enzymes?
Enzymes are specialised proteins that speed up chemical reactions inside living organisms. They work under mild, life-friendly conditions, like normal body temperature and pH. Each enzyme is highly specific, meaning it performs one type of reaction on one type of molecule.
Because of this precision, enzymes are extremely valuable commercially. They are used to make sweeteners, modify antibiotics, power cleaning products, and run sensitive diagnostic tests used in medicine, forensics and environmental science. Their role in improving life and industry makes enzymes one of the pillars of biotechnology.
Biotechnology in Today’s World
Biotechnology is broadly described as using living organisms or their components for industrial, medical or commercial purposes. A major part of this involves genetically modifying microbes to produce medicines like antibiotics and hormones.
Industries where biotechnology plays a major role include:
- Biofuel production
- Paper & pulp industry
- Food and brewing industry
- Agriculture
Applications of Enzymes in Biotechnology
The role of enzymes in biotechnology industry:
1.Enzymes in Cell Biology
Enzymes used in biotechnology are widely used to break open cells – a process called cell lysis. Mechanical methods often damage the desired product inside the cell. In contrast, lytic enzymes break down cell walls gently and selectively, making them ideal for:
- Medical and pharmaceutical processes
- Food processing
- Agriculture
- Recovering important intracellular products
Over time, many specialised lytic enzyme systems have been developed for specific applications.
2. Enzymes used in molecular biology
Nucleic acids that are used for cloning or genetic engineering are usually modified using enzymes such as:
- Polymerases
- Ligases
- Nucleases
- Phosphatases
- Methylases
These enzymes help scientists cut, join, copy, or modify chemically, DNA essential steps in creating genetically engineered products.
3. Applications of Enzymes in Industry
Novel Fibers
New biodegradable fibers are being created from renewable biomass. These fibers are environmentally friendly and commercially viable. Examples include:
- Chitin from shellfish
- Collagen from animals
- Alginate from microbes
- Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a popular fiber made by fermenting cornstarch or glucose
PLA is strong, smooth, and can be blended with cotton or wool.
Hydrogen Peroxide Breakdown
During cotton bleaching, hydrogen peroxide remains on fabric. Catalase enzymes remove this leftover peroxide before dyeing, preventing fabric damage.
Bio-stoning & Biopolishing
Instead of abrasive techniques like pumice stones, cellulase enzymes gently stonewash denim and remove fabric fuzz, extending the life of the material.
1. Detergents
Enzymes make detergents more effective at removing stains like sweat and grass even at lower temperatures. Today, protease and amylase enzymes are commonly used in laundry detergents.
2. PLA and Its Uses
PLA is used in:
- Clothing and upholstery
- Agriculture (mulch films, plant mats)
- Sanitary products
- Medical disposables
Because PLA is biodegradable, it reduces environmental waste and depends on renewable resources like corn.
3. De-sizing of Cotton
Cotton threads are coated with a protective layer during weaving. Before finishing, this coating must be removed. Amylase enzymes are used to degrade the coating without harming the cotton or the environment.
Enzyme technology in biotechnology processes is the most important part of modern biotechnology. In the energy sector, enzymes for biofuel production biotechnology help convert biomass into cleaner, renewable fuels, making sustainable energy more achievable. In healthcare, enzymes in pharmaceutical biotechnology applications enable precise drug formulation, improved drug delivery systems, and the development of safer therapeutic solutions. Many of these breakthroughs come from microbial enzymes in biotechnology, which are valued for their efficiency, scalability, and ability to function under diverse conditions. To improve their stability and reusability, industries sometimes depend on enzyme immobilization biotechnology applications, allowing enzymes to perform repeatedly without losing their effectiveness. Advancements in enzyme engineering for biotechnology have further transformed the field.
It has created tailor-made enzymes that act as powerful enzyme biocatalysts biotechnology relies on for faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective processes. Many advantages of enzymes in biotechnology, including their eco-friendly nature, specificity, and reduced energy consumption, make them indispensable across sectors. As research progresses, the future trends of enzymes in biotechnology point toward smarter, more engineered enzymes, enhanced sustainable manufacturing, and deeper integration into industrial, medical, and environmental solutions.
Conclusion
From pharmaceuticals and biofuels to paper, brewing, and food industries, enzymes play a vital role in biotechnology. Biotechnology and enzymes together continue to drive innovations that improve industries, the environment, and human life.
Share
