idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
A cooperation between Jacobs University and Kaesler Nutrition GmbH, which is doing research in Bremerhaven, could lead to a saving of several ten thousand tons of phosphorus emissions. The aim of the research project is the more environmentally friendly production of the enzyme phytase and its optimization. Phytase is used to produce feed for aquaculture. The research project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the state of Bremen through the BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung und Stadtentwicklung mbH (Bremerhaven Economic Development Company). The total funding amounts to 740.000 euros.
Most animal feeds consist of about 90 percent plant components. However, fish and other farm animals cannot absorb the phosphates contained in the feed. Additionally, they need the enzyme phytase, which is widely added to the feed. The enzyme breaks down phosphate from a plant storage material and makes it available to farm animals. The more successful this is, the more it is possible to forego the addition and thus the extraction of mineral phosphorus. This is a finite resource whose deposits have built up over millions of years, similar to crude oil.
The team of scientists at Jacobs University is now working on improving the industrially relevant properties of the enzyme, but also to make its production process more environmentally friendly. Phytase has to withstand high temperatures during its production, but is fed to the fish at low temperatures. It must therefore be heat-stable and efficient in cold conditions. "If it works more efficiently at low temperatures, not only does less inorganic phosphate have to be fed, but the animals also excrete smaller amounts of phosphate," explained Ulrich Kleinekathöfer, Professor of Theoretical Physics at Jacobs University. This also has a positive effect on the water quality, and the risk of eutrophication is reduced.
While Kleinekathöfer uses computer simulations to research the improvement of the enzyme structure, Elke Nevoigt, Professor of Molecular Biotechnology, is working on the production process of the enzyme. It is produced in a yeast. Nevoigt plans to use the substrate glycerol instead of methanol, which is the standard up to now. "This is less harmful to the environment," she said. The expert in the field of yeast research appreciates the project not only because it expands her field of nuclear research, but also because she is cooperating with a company from Bremerhaven, a city nearby.
The theoretical physicist Kleinekathöfer agrees. "To modify an enzyme so that it has certain properties is academically interesting. But I'm also interested in the practical application and the environmental aspect." Kaesler Nutrition GmbH calculates that over the course of ten years, 35,000 tons of phosphorus emissions could be saved in the field of aquaculture and up to 7,600 tons in agriculture.
About Jacobs University Bremen:
Studying in an international community. Obtaining a qualification to work on responsible tasks in a digitized and globalized society. Learning, researching and teaching across academic disciplines and countries. Strengthening people and markets with innovative solutions and advanced training programs. This is what Jacobs University Bremen stands for. Established as a private, English-medium campus university in Germany in 2001, it is continuously achieving top results in national and international university rankings. Its more than 1,500 students come from more than 120 countries with around 80% having relocated to Germany for their studies. Jacobs University’s research projects are funded by the German Research Foundation or the EU Research and Innovation program as well as by globally leading companies.
For more information: www.jacobs-university.de
Facebook | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Weibo
Prof. Dr. Elke Nevoigt
Professor of Molecular Biotechnology
Email: e.nevoigt@jacobs-university.de
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kleinekathöfer
Professor of Theoretical Physics
Email: u.kleinekathoefer@jacobs-university.de
Elke Nevoigt is Professor of Molecular Biotechnology at Jacobs University. She is working on the pro ...
Jacobs University
Ulrich Kleinekathöfer, Professor of Theoretical Physics, uses computer simulations to research the i ...
Jacobs University
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Wissenschaftler
Biologie, Physik / Astronomie, Tier / Land / Forst, Umwelt / Ökologie, Wirtschaft
überregional
Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
