Developed innovative fungal enzyme cocktail comprising 19 hydrolytic enzymes derived from biodegradable municipal solid waste

Chandigarh, August 29, 2024: Prof. S.K. Soni from the Department of Microbiology at Panjab University, Chandigarh along with his research team including Dr. Apurav Sharma, currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bioenergy, Kapurthala, and Dr. Raman Soni, Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at D.A.V. College, Chandigarh, has developed an innovative fungal enzyme cocktail comprising 19 hydrolytic enzymes derived from biodegradable municipal solid waste. 

This achievement has earned them a patent for pioneering a novel scientific approach to waste management. The invention introduces a stable, low-cost enzyme preparation containing multiple depolymerizing enzymes produced by utilizing zero-value kitchen waste as a substrate. This substrate promotes the growth of fungal cultures and induces the production of various carbohydrases, proteases, and lipases, which can be used for the bioconversion of various solid waste residues, including kitchen garbage, agricultural waste, and agro-industrial biomass, into sugars and other valuable products.

Industrial enzymes play a crucial role in various bioprocesses, including breaking down complex molecules into simpler, valuable components, making them essential in food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and waste management industries. Enzymes like carbohydrases, proteases, and lipases facilitate the efficient conversion of biomass into biofuels, enhance food processing, and assist in waste treatment. However, the high cost of enzyme production has been a major barrier to their widespread use. Prof. Soni's innovation addresses this challenge by developing a partially purified, concentrated, and characterized thermostable and pH-stable multi-enzyme cocktail to manage Biodegradable Municipal Solid Waste (BMSW).  This patented invention represents a significant advancement in sustainable biotechnology, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for enzyme production. With the potential to revolutionize waste management and industrial bioprocessing, this multi-enzyme cocktail developed by Prof. S.K. Soni opens new opportunities for research and commercial applications, demonstrating Punjab University’s commitment to pioneering solutions that contribute to a sustainable future.