You need to activate javascript for this site.
Menu Conteúdo Rodapé
  1. Home
  2. Courses
  3. Biotechnology
  4. Enzymatic Biotechnology

Enzymatic Biotechnology

Code 12477
Year 1
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload PL(30H)/T(30H)
Scientific area Biotecnologia
Entry requirements Not applicable.
Mode of delivery Presential
Work placements Not applicable.
Learning outcomes Know and describe the main methods of enzyme immobilization. Understanding the importance of application of adimension numbers in fixed systems. Characterization and modulation of unconventional systems (organic solvents, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids). Scale immobilized reactors: design equations, normalized residence time and degree of conversion. Develop enzyme deactivation calculation models. Acquiring laboratory handling in the preparation of immobilized cell systems. Carry out, evaluate and compare the intrinsic kinetic parameters of free and immobilized enzyme systems. Develop creative, integrative and innovative capacity in solving problems in enzyme biotechnology.
Syllabus Theoretical: Enzyme immobilization methods (crosslinking, adsorption, ionic bond, covalent bond, microencapsulation and occlusion). Effects conformational, stereochemical, partition. Mass transfer (Damkhöler, Biot, internal and external effectiveness factor). Catalysis in unconventional systems: (1) Organic solvents (selection, toxicity, concentration profiles), (2) ionic liquids (structure, chemical and physical properties, CO2-sc extraction, applications), (3) Supercritical fluids (physics and chemistry characterization, diffusivity, toxicity, environmental impact, removal), (4) Nanobiocatálise (gold particles). Modelling discontinuous enzymatic reactors and continuous flow type piston. Enzyme deactivation. Pratical: Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in sodium alginate microspheres. Sucrose hydrolysis kinetics.Immobilization of Tirocinase Pyrocatecol for conversion of L-DOPA.
Main Bibliography 1-”Engenharia Enzimática”, Joaquim M.S. Cabral, Maria Raquel Aires-Barros, Lidel, 2003. 2-”Biochemical Engineering”, Harvey W. Blanch, Douglas S. Clark MARCEL DEKKER 1997. 3- Principles of Fermentation Technology, 2nd Edition, Stanbury, Whitaker & Hall, BH 1995. 4- Homaei A. Enzyme Immobilization and its Application in the Food Industry. Advances in Food Biotechnology, 2016, doi:10.1002/9781118864463.ch09. 5- Potdar MK, Kelso GF, Schwarz L, Zhang C, Hearn MTW. Recent Developments in Chemical Synthesis with Biocatalysts in Ionic Liquids, 2015, Molecules, 20: 16788-16816; doi:10.3390/molecules200916788. 6- Gomes et al., ”Tyrosinase immobilization in nickel-crosslinked gellan microspheres and conversion of L-DOPA to dopachrome”, Journal of Chemical Education, 2021. 7- Sojitra UV, Nadar SS, Rathod VK. A magnetic tri-enzyme nanobiocatalyst for fruit juice clarification, 2016, Food Chemistry, 213: 296-305.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Theoretical classes are in-person and weigh 65% of the final grade. During the teaching-learning period (CEA), the minimum passing grade for the theoretical component is 9.5 points, based on the arithmetic average of the two tests (November 4, 2025, and December 16, 2025).
The minimum passing grade for the final exam is 9.5 points for the practical component.
- In-person practical classes weigh 35% of the final grade. Oral assessment (December 9, 2025 - 30%) and laboratory performance (5%).
Passing the practical classes is mandatory, with a minimum grade of 9.5 points.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2025-09-26

The cookies used in this website do not collect personal information that helps to identify you. By continuing you agree to the cookie policy.