Enzymes from Snakes, Spiders, Plants

COPENHAGENDanisco, as part of a larger project group, has been granted DKK 24 million from The Danish Council for Strategic Research to look into the nature of the enzymes derived from snakes, spiders and carnivorous plants.

When a spider catches a fly in its web, it injects digestive enzymes into its prey to liquefy it. This makes it easy for the spider to devour the fly. The digestive enzymes are highly effective and we are very keen on looking into the dynamics of these enzymes, said Charlotte Poulsen, Genencor Enzyme Development, Danisco.

The same mechanisms are applicable to snakes and carnivorous plants. And when the project group has found the best enzymes at the end of a 4-year period, the commercial possibilities are endless. The highly potent enzymes may be used in for instance food ingredients, detergents, animal nutrition and a long list of other applications in which enzymes can perform their function as process catalysts.