The research of Prof. Hoffmann-Jacobsen explores the interdisciplinary field of biophysical chemistry and wastewater treatment. Our main research interest is the investigation and application of enzymes in technical environments.

Enzymes are nature's catalysts that increase the rate of virtually all the chemical reactions within cells. Nowadays, the enzymes are developed as biocatalysts in various important industrial processes as pharmaceutical synthesis and can be found in many products of daily life, e.g. laundry detergent. Enzymes are intrinsically green catalysts as they are biodegradable and work under ambient conditions. We aim to develop new enzymatic biocatalysts for new technological applications including a mechanistic understanding of the biophysical processes taking place within biocatalysis. The main analytical technique is fluorescence spectroscopy.

Currently, we are working on the following projects

- GreenProtAct (FHkooperativ, BMBF): Hyperactivation of proteins through intelligent chemical formulation for environmentally friendly detergents

- BioPhosCoat (BMEL via FNR): Chemo-enzymatic syntheses for a bio-based phosphate chemistry for corrosion protection coatings

- Valorization of sewage by filtration and enzyme catalysis

- Smart Interfaces (SmInt), subproject 1: Biotechological-chemical design: Optimizing the interaction of enzymes with detergents

Completed projects are:

- Enz4Water (EFRE). Enzymatic filtration for the removal of trace contaminants. For a german description of the project and some results see here.

- ChemZymeCoat (FHProfUnt, BMBF): Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of Functionalized Polymers for Innovative - Green Coatings

- Analysis of textile biocatalysts, i.e. lipases immobilized on textile carriers, for the production of intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry (ZIM, cooperation Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH)

- Investigation of the structure and dynamics of lipases in organic media

We have a fully equipped laboratory for biophysical chemistry including synthesis and spectroscopic analysis. This includes fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime analysis and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The equipment for wastewater technology comprises a model sewage plant, lab ozonation reactor and the relevant analysis equipment, e.g. TOC, ion chromatography, atom absorption spectroscopy.

There are always Bachelor and Master thesis projects available. Please contact Prof. Hoffmann-Jacobsen.

Chemo-enzymatic syntheses to a biobased phosphate chemistry for corrosion protection coatings

Classical anti-corrosion coatings are based on (eco-)toxicologically questionable chemicals, e.g. chromate conversion coatings. Phosphate additives are toxicologically safe alternatives, but they compete for the important nutrient phosphorous. In this project, an ecologically neutral technology for corrosion protection coatings based on phytic acid will be developed. Phytic acid is a waste product of food and biodiesel production. It is not a nutrient as it cannot be metabolized by most animals or humans, but provides six phosphate groups for corrosion protection. However, the hydrophilicity of phytic acid has so far prevented its integration into technical, homogeneous coatings.

The solution approach of this project is the covalent chemical incorporation of phytic acid into polyester binders for the coatings industry using enzyme catalysis. Enzyme catalysis not only enables activation of stable phytic acid and is compatible with aqueous solvents, but also provides the regioselectivity to selectively modify individual, chemically equivalent phosphate groups of phytic acid. The consortium covers the potential value chain from the oil mill, where phytic acid-containing rapeseed press cake is produced, the enzyme manufacturer, who develops adapted phosphatases, the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences with the subfields of biocatalysis and coating technology for the production of the phytic acid-containing binders, to the coating manufacturer. The latter develops a biobased corrosion protection coating based on the phytic acid-containing binder in line with industrial requirements.

The project will result in chemo-enzymatic synthesis routes to phytic acid-based binders, a formulation for high-performance coatings, and an understanding of the corrosion-inhibiting processes taking place.

Enzymatic Filtration for Trace Contaminant Removal from Wastewater

Active substances that are ingested by humans or used in households are now ubiquitously found in European surface waters and even in drinking water. Although these substances, such as pharmaceuticals, occur as anthropogenic trace pollutants only in low concentrations, they have been proven to pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems and the vital resource of drinking water. Since many trace pollutants pass through modern wastewater treatment plants unimpeded, Europe is intensively working on the development of an additional fourth treatment stage.

Ozonation is considered a promising technique for the elimination of trace pollutants. However, it can also generate ecotoxicologically relevant byproducts, necessitating the development of suitable post-treatment methods. Therefore, the goal of this research project was to develop an effective, safe, and resource-efficient post-treatment process for ozonation.

Natural organisms possess enzymes that typically convert reactive species into harmless products. The Enz4Water project harnessed this principle by developing a filter for post-ozonation treatment, loaded with fungal enzymes. Within the framework of the project, enzymatic degradation processes were studied in laboratory models, a technical enzymatic filter was developed, and its application was tested in a wastewater treatment plant.

The project leader of the joint project was Prof. Dr. Kerstin Hoffmann-Jacobsen of the Hochschule Niederrhein, Department of Chemistry and ILOC Institute. Her laboratory for biophysical chemistry and wastewater technology and Prof. Dr. Martin Jäger's laboratory for organic trace analysis and spectroscopy were researching the transformation and elimination of trace substances. Other partners were the German Textile Research Center North-West gGmbH and the companies ASA Spezialenzyme and HST Systemtechnik &Co KG.

The project was funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the lead market competition EnergyEnvironmentEconomy.NRW.