Enzymology for Food and Biorefinery: Proteases, Lipases and Bioreactors

To be able to participate in the course, you are expected to have at least a BSc level of education in Food Science and Technology or a related field, such as Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology.

The language of instruction of this course is in English.

• Understand the mode of action of protein and lipid degrading enzymes.
• Understand how to analyse and calculate protein hydrolysis parameters.
• Predict the course of an enzymatic process by kinetic calculations in various reactor set-ups (e.g. batch, CSTR, plug flow).

This course builds on the enzymatic aspects of protein and lipid conversion. Examples of these enzymes in food and biorefinery processes will be discussed. Matrix effects and properties of the enzyme play a role in predicting enzyme kinetics. For proteases, the focus will be on understanding important resulting parameters, such as degree of hydrolysis and peptide chain length. In order to be able to predict the enzymatic process in a bioreactor, enzymatic conversions will be discussed and mass balance calculations, including enzyme kinetics, will be done.

The master's course consists of knowledge clips, textual explanations and animations, including exercises with feedback. Furthermore it included a calculation case to understand how to calculate protein hydrolysis parameters and a study case to apply enzyme kinetics in various reactor set-ups. Information will be made available via Brightspace. A handbook for additional background reading, but not necessary to buy: Handbook of Food Enzymology (2003), Whitaker et al. (Ed), Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, US.

Combining courses
When you want to learn more about food biotechnology and processing, other courses are interesting for you too. You can deepen your knowledge in a specific career field without completing a Master's programme. When you want to learn more about food biotechnology and processing, other courses are interesting for you too. You can deepen your knowledge in a specific career field without completing a Master's programme. You can register for any combination. You can find our suggestions below under "Related courses."

Upon successful completion, a digital micro-credentials certificate (EduBadge) with 3 study credits (ECTS) is issued. The EduBadge certifies the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, marking the quality of a course.

Participation in the remote proctored exam is optional. If you decide not to participate in the exam, you do not qualify for a certificate and/or micro-credentials. The exam is included in the course price. The date of examination is 18 February 2027.

After completion of two or more courses there is a unique opportunity to apply what you have learned. You can start a capstone project in consultation with a Wageningen expert in the field. It is a tailor-made project, where you will write a short paper about your results and conclusions. During this work you will be coached by the expert. Price: €1,230,-.

If you are interested in the Capstone project, please contact us.