Novozymes’ product and project portfolio represents a huge diversity of different enzymes screened from a variety of microorganisms deriving from nature or from molecular evolution in the laboratory. Once a new enzyme has been identified for a specific application, the next challenge is to produce the enzyme in yields often 1000 times higher than is achieved by the indigenous organism. This is done by transferring the gene that codes for the beneficial enzyme to another microorganism known for its enormous enzyme-producing capability.
The ability to express enzymes of any class from any source is the key to unlocking the practical potential of enzymes for industry. And Novozymes is a leader in the field. Our product diversity and world-class speed in getting new recombinant enzymes to the market is concrete proof of the versatility of our unique expression systems.
The principle for producing an enzyme in high yield is to first identify the gene that codes for the enzyme and then, using genetic engineering, to transfer the gene to a well-known domesticated microorganism known as the host strain. Using sophisticated recombinant techniques, an expression plasmid harbouring the enzyme gene under the control of suitable expression signals is transferred into the host strain. The host strain and expression signals are selected for optimal interplay and function during the final fermentation process to generate high-quality enzyme products.
Novozymes uses both fungal and bacterial expression systems. Our host strains ? bacteria and fungi - have been selected based on several criteria, most importantly a documented history of safe use and the ability to produce large amounts of pure enzyme.
Unwanted side activities such as a
mylases, proteases and certain secondary metabolites have been removed from the fungal hosts. Most of these species have been used in industrial processes for more that 30 years and our research division has acquired considerable knowledge about fermentation suitability and tools for genetic engineering, giving us a leading position in the field of recombinant expression.