Lactonase derived from Candida bombicola and uses thereof

US9388443B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UNIVERSITEIT GENT · BE

Inventors

• Inge Van Bogaert · Laarne, BE
• Katarzyna Ciesielska · Łowicz, PL
• Bart Devreese · Vosselare, BE
• Wim Soetaert · Lovendegem, BE
• Sophie Roelants · Evergem, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 12, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the latter enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. On the other hand, host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.