Use of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenases for Conversion of Trimethylamine in Salmon Protein Hydrolysates
Marianne Goris, Pål Puntervoll, David Rojo, Julie E. Claussen, Øivind Larsen, Antonio García‐Moyano, David Almendral, Coral Barbas, Manuel Ferrer, Gro Elin Kjæreng Bjerga
Abstract
Enzyme-based conversion of marine biomass to high-quality peptide ingredients leaves a distinct smell of “fish” caused by the presence of trimethylamine, which limits their economic potential. We suggest an enzymatic solution for converting trimethylamine to the odorless trimethylamine N -oxide as a novel strategy to improve the smell quality of marine protein hydrolysates. Following a systematic investigation of 45 putative bacterial trimethylamine monooxygenases from several phyla, we expand the repertoire of known active trimethylamine monooxygenases. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that three of these enzymes oxidized trimethylamine in an industry-relevant salmon protein hydrolysate. Our results add new oxidoreductases to the industrial biocatalytic toolbox and provide a new point of departure for enzyme process developments in marine biorefineries.