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Overview

Investigating the ability of microorganisms and their enzymes to convert waste or other materials into value-added products. Research focuses on the synthesis of biodegradable plastics and enzymes as biocatalysts. Our work is interdisciplinary with strong elements of chemistry, biology, and engineering. We collaborate with analytical, technical, polymer, and organic synthetic chemists to examine enzyme purification, gene expression, bioprocessing, synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and polymer chemistry.

Biosynthesis Research

Research Programmes

 
Enzymes as Biocatalysts

Biological catalysts such as enzymes can be more effective than traditional chemical catalysts due to their high catalytic efficiency, mild reaction conditions, outstanding enantio-, regio- and chemo-selectivity, and their lack of toxic metals. We are researching the capacity of enzymes as biocatalysts to synthesise compounds for use as drugs, drug synthons, and fine chemicals. We focus on the expression, purification, and characterisation of enzymes originating from extremophilic organisms that thrive in high-salt environments. The environmental adaptation of these organisms has produced unique enzymatic properties, such as high tolerance to organic solvents and broad substrate scope. Through this research, we hope to facilitate the production of improved, versatile and, robust biocatalysts with industrial applications.

 
Biodegradable Plastic Synthesis

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials, we are investigating the ability of certain bacteria to synthesise biodegradable plastic – namely polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) – with biotechnological potential. Our research focuses on the conversion of waste and natural resources to this type of biodegradable polymer. PHAs have similar properties to petroleum-derived synthetic plastics but are biodegradable and biocompatible. They can be used to manufacture disposable packaging and may have high-value applications in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.

Publications & Patents

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An efficient antimicrobial performance of hybrid functionalized MWCNTs/GNPts bionanocomposites based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate). M. I. Ibrahim, K. A. Alamry, M. A. Hussein, D. Alsafadi, and M. Rafatullah, Chemistry Select, 2023, 8, e202205011.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoate from sesame seed wastewater by sequencing batch reactor cultivation process of Haloferax mediterranei. J. S. A. Alhesan, A. Mansour, S. Oqdeha, and D. Alsafadi, Arab. J. Chem., 2023, 16, 104584.

Extraction and quantification of bioactive phenolic compounds in olive oil by acid hydrolysis method. D. Alsafadi, J. A. Alhesan, A. Mansour, and S. Oqdeh, Food Anal. Methods, 2022, 16, 581–595.

A promising antimicrobial bionanocomposite based poly(3‑hydroxybutyrate‑co‑3‑hydroxyvalerate) reinforced silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. M. I. Ibrahim, D. Alsafadi, K. A. Alamry, M. Oves, A. M. Alosaimi, and M. A. Hussein, Sci Rep., 2022, 12, 14299.

Biosynthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) as biocompatible microcapsules with extended release for busulfan and montelukast. M. I. Ibrahim, D. Alsafadi, E. Safi, E. Alenazi, M. Aboulsoud, M. A. Hussein, and K. A. Alamry, Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2022, 213, 728–737.

Stabilization of insulin using low molecular weight chitosan carbonate nanocarrier. M. Al-Remawi, N. Jaber, A. Elsayed, D. Alsafadi, and K. Abu Salah, Carbohydr. Polym., 2022, 291, 119579.

Removal of carbamazepine onto modified zeolitic tuff in different water matrices: batch and continuous flow experiments. O. A. Al-Mashaqbeh, D. A. Alsafadi, L. Z. Alsalhi, S. L. Bartelt-Hunt, and D. D. Snow, Water, 2021, 13, 1084.

Properties and applications of poly(3‑hydroxybutyrate‑co‑3‑hydroxyvalerate) biocomposites. M. I. Ibrahim, D. Alsafadi, K. A. Alamry, and M. A. Hussein, J. Polym. Environ., 2020, 29, 1010–1030.

Utilizing the crop waste of date palm fruit to biosynthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastics with favorable properties. D. Alsafadi, M. I. Ibrahim, K. A. Alamry, M. A. Hussein, and A. Mansour, Sci. Total Environ., 2020, 737, 139716.

Optimization of nitrogen source supply for enhanced biosynthesis and quality of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) by extremely halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. D. Alsafadi, O. Al-Mashaqbeh, A. Mansour, and M. Alsaad, Microbiology Open, 2020, 00, e1055.

Removal of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products in wastewater treatment plant in Jordan. O. Almashqbah, D. Alsafadi, S. Dalahmeh, S. Bartelt-Hunt, and D. Snow, Water, 2019, 11, 1–13.

Purification and biochemical characterization of photo-active membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin from Haloarcula Marismortui. D. Alsafadi, F. Khalili, H. Juwhari, and B. Lahlouh, Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2018, 118B, 1942–1947.

Extreme halophilic alcohol dehydrogenase mediated highly efficient syntheses of enantiopure aromatic alcohols. D. Alsafadi, S. Alsalman, and F. Paradisi, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 9021–9244.

A one-stage cultivation process for the production of poly-3-(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) from olive mill wastewater by Haloferax Mediterranei. D. Alsafadi and O. Almashqbah, New Biotechnol., 2016, 43, 47–53.

Preparation and characterization of hydroquinone based polyoxalate and its application in the removal of heavy metals from water. D. Alsafadi, F. Khalili, and B. Sweileh, J. Adv. Chem., 2014, 10, 3022–3036.

Covalent immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH2) from Haloferax Volcanii: How to maximize activity and optimize the performance of halophilic enzymes. D. Alsafadi and F. Paradisi, Mol. Biotechnol., 2014, 56, 240–247.

A comparison of two novel alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes (ADH1 and ADH2) from the extreme halophile Haloferax Volcanii. L. M. Timpson, A. K. Liliensiek, D. Alsafadi, J. Cassidy, M. A. Sharkey, S. Liddell, T. Allers, and F. Paradisi, Appl. Micro. Biotechnol., 2013, 97, 195–203.

Effect of organic solvents on the activity and stability of halophilic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH2) from Haloferax Volcanii. D. Alsafadi and F. Paradisi, Extremophiles, 2013, 17, 115–122.

Characterization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH12) from Haloarcula Marismortui, an extreme halophile from the Dead Sea. L. M. Timpson, D. Alsafadi, C. M. Donnchadha, S. Liddell, M. A. Sharkey, and F. Paradisi, Extremophiles, 2012, 16, 57–66.