DIT PhD/Doctoral Project
Supervisor name & contact
details:
Name: Dr. Amit Kumar Jaiswal
Tel: +353 1402 4547
Email: amit.jaiswal@dit.ie
Web: http://www.dit.ie/fseh/stafflisting/jaiswaldramitkumar/
Research Centre Name and
Website (if applicable)
Food Science and Environmental Health,
Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 1, Ireland
http://www.dit.ie/fseh/
Funding Agency
Dublin Institute of Technology (Fiosraigh Scholarship
Programme)
Scholarship Details
A stipend of €16,000 and €2,000 for project costs per annum is
available for four years
Subject Area
Biotechnology
Title of the Project
Application of lignocellulosic food waste for the production of
industrially viable enzymes
Project Description
Enzymes such as α-amylase, protease and xylanase offer potential for numerous industrial
applications such as foods and beverage production, pharmaceuticals and animal feed
production, detergents, textile, cosmetics and biodiesel production. Economic factors such as
achievement of optimum yields and production cost are the main deterrents in the industrial use
of these enzymes. Enzymes are generally produced via microbial fermentation using expensive
mediums which account for 30 to 40% of the production cost. Food industry wastes such as
Brewer’s spent grain or apple pomace are a major environmental burden worldwide. However,
these inexpensive food wastes can be utilized as a substrate for the production of enzymes,
which can significantly reduce the production cost of the enzymes and also enhance the value of
underutilized food waste.
Present project aims at the isolation, purification and characterization of α-amylase, protease
and xylanase using lignocellulosic food waste as a substrate for the production of enzymes.
Optimization of enzyme production will be achieved by response surface experimental design,
scaling will be carried out in 7L bioreactor and further downstream processing will be achieved
using appropriate techniques. Finally, enzyme-assisted extraction of bioactives compounds will
be carried out to find the potential value of isolated enzymes.
The PhD student will gain experience in several complementary disciplines, including
biotechnology, microbiology, chemical engineering, biochemistry and food technology. The
student will work in an established research group within the School of Food Science and
Environmental Health, DIT with a wide range of equipment and expertise available. The project
will allow attendance at an international conference each year for result dissemination and
networking.
Please indicate the student requirements for this project
Essential:
 BSc (min. 2.1) in Biotechnology/Microbiology/Biochemical Engineering or related area
 Working experience of fermentation process
 Experience in operating bioreactors using microbial and enzymatic systems
 Knowledge of research techniques and methodologies in enzymology/protein chemistry
 Experience in the purification and characterization of enzymes/proteins using modern
analytical techniques
Desirable:
 Excellent communications and writing skills
 Proficient in using MS Office and statistical packages
 Must be able to drive and conclude projects independently, take own initiative and
discuss/develop own ideas, creative and have a problem-solving ability
 Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team
Deadline to submit applications 20th August 2014 (5 pm, GMT)
(only for funded projects)
Please choose College as appropriate
Arts & Tourism
Business
Engineering and Built Environment
Sciences & Health
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