Danish Companies to Research Potential for Overlooked Enzyme Sources

Danisco has, as part of a larger project group, been granted DKK 24 million from The Danish Council for Strategic Research to look into the nature of the enzymes derived from snakes, spiders and carnivorous plants.

10 Mar 2010 --- Danisco has, as part of a larger project group, been granted DKK 24 million from The Danish Council for Strategic Research to look into the nature of the enzymes derived from snakes, spiders and carnivorous plants.

Overlooked species can be key to discovering new powerful enzymes for use in everyday products such as laundry detergents and food. This is why Danisco has, as part of a larger project group, been granted DKK 24 million from The Danish Council for Strategic Research to look into the nature of the enzymes derived from snakes, spiders and carnivorous plants.

Enzymes are produced by all living organisms. They are natural protein molecules that act as highly efficient catalysts in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are biodegradable.

‘When a spider catches a fly in its web, it injects digestive enzymes into its prey to liquefy it. This makes it easy for the spider to devour the fly. The digestive enzymes are highly effective and we are very keen on looking into the dynamics of these enzymes,’ says Charlotte Poulsen, Genencor Enzyme Development, Danisco.
 
The same mechanisms are applicable to snakes and carnivorous plants. And when the project group has found the best enzymes at the end of a 4-year period, the commercial possibilities are endless. The highly potent enzymes may be used in for instance food ingredients, detergents, animal nutrition and a long list of other applications in which enzymes can perform their function as process catalysts.
 
‘Enzymes that make processes more efficient, also make them less energy intensive. For instance, doing your laundry at lower temperatures also saves electricity and reduces carbon emissions,’ says Charlotte Poulsen and adds: ‘We are proud that our joint project was chosen among many by The Danish Council for Strategic Research. As a knowledge-based company, we benchmark ourselves by our capability to get this kind of acknowledgement among so many other players who are also placing high importance on R&D.’
 
The research group awarded DKK 24 million by The Danish Council for Strategic Research consists of Danisco, Novozymes, Arla Foods and research institutions in Denmark, Finland, Poland, Brazil and China.
 
The research project starts now and will run for a period of four years.