Bacterial proteins as formulation ingredients.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Bacteria are single celled organisms that live in social communities called biofilms. Over the millennia bacteria have evolved sophisticated strategies to introduce three-dimensionality to the biofilm. The architecturally complex structure is generated biologically using a combination of proteins and large sugar molecules that function in the environment outside the cell. Bacillus subtilis is an organism of high industrial significance, used for the mass production for enzymes used in 'biological' laundry powders, as well as the smaller-scale production of the Japanese fermented food product Natto. B. subtilis forms biofilms, and some of the components of the biofilm have shown properties of interest for the stabilisation of foodstuffs and personal care products. In this application we propose to exploit nature by using the molecules produced by B. subtilis in a wide range of applications of high industrial significance.
Publications
Arnaouteli S
(2017)
Bifunctionality of a biofilm matrix protein controlled by redox state.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Earl C
(2020)
The majority of the matrix protein TapA is dispensable for Bacillus subtilis colony biofilm architecture.
in Molecular microbiology
Erskine E
(2018)
Functional Amyloid and Other Protein Fibers in the Biofilm Matrix.
in Journal of molecular biology
Erskine E
(2018)
Formation of functional, non-amyloidogenic fibres by recombinant Bacillus subtilis TasA.
in Molecular microbiology
Špacapan M
(2020)
The ComX Quorum Sensing Peptide of Bacillus subtilis Affects Biofilm Formation Negatively and Sporulation Positively.
in Microorganisms
| Description | We investigated the reproducibility of production of a bacterial biomolecule with potential use in multiphase formulations, and characterised product performance under a range of commercially-relevant conditions. In collaboration with commercial partners we determined that use of the biomolecule of interest was not commercially viable. |
| Exploitation Route | Some of the components of microbial biofilms have shown properties of interest for the stabilisation of foodstuffs and personal care products. In this project we tested some of the naturally-occuring molecules produced by B. subtilis in a wide range of applications of relevance to the formulations industry. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | We examined the use of a new bacterial biomolecule as a stabilising agent in multiphase formulations. The formulated products market is worth an estimated £180 billion per annum to the UK economy crossing sectors from food and drink to personal care products. We determined, in collaboration with commercial partners, that the biomolecule of interest was not commercially viable due to a combination of performance and manufacturing reasons. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | BBSRC IAA |
| Amount | £19,981 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Description | Innovation Knowledge Centre |
| Amount | £12,801,513 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R012415/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2017 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Research collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Dundee |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research was multidisciplinary, at the interface between microbiology and soft matter physics. We contribute the soft matter physics/ formulation expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Dundee provide molecular microbiology insight and materials to the project. |
| Impact | This collaboration is multidisciplinary, at the interface between molecular microbiology and biological/ soft matter physics. The outputs/ outcomes are reported under the relevant grants. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Street Food 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 75 adults attended an evening event as part of both Dundee Science Festival and the University of Dundee's newly launched Festival of the Future. Included in the attendees were secondary school teachers from local schools who were invited specifically to allow them to learn from, and ask questions inspired by, our research and facilities. The event combined food and drink makers, from Dundee, Angus, Fife and beyond, with our own researchers to explore the surprising, inspiring ways that research meets repast. Scientists and makers set up stalls together with activities and samples using links with food as an entry point to discuss particular areas of research. For example, Gin and the quinine in tonic was an opportunity to discuss malaria prevention and the research undertaken in Dundee on developing new therapeutics to tackle malaria. Or for example, ice cream was used as a tool to discuss emulsifiers in food and the production of such qualities by bacterial biofilms. My team were involved through the development of a demonstration of ice cream production, and the potential for stabilisation of multiphase formulations (such as ice cream) through the use of biomolecules of microbial origin. We also discussed transformations of foodstuffs through the use of microbes more generally. This was a collaborative activity between groups in the University of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh. The audience reported that they had enjoyed the event, particularly the chance to meet scientists in such an informal, friendly setting. One teacher said "It's interesting to see science live and to make the connection with real life." Audience members also used social media such as Twitter and Instagram to share their images from the evening. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |