Discovery of novel feruloyl esterase activity of BioH in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)

Objectives To characterize a novel feruloyl esterase from Escherichia coli BL21 DE3. Results The gene encoding BioH was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli . The protein was purified and its catalytic activity was assessed. BioH exhibited feruloyl esterase activity toward a broad range of substrates, and the corresponding kinetic constants for the methyl ferulate, ethyl ferulate, and methyl p -coumarate substrates were: K m values of 0.48, 6.3, and 1.9 mM, respectively, and k cat / K m values of 9.3, 3.8, and 3.8 mM −1  s −1 , respectively. Conclusions Feruloyl esterase from E. coli was expressed for the first time. BioH was confirmed to be a feruloyl esterase.