engleski

Biocatalysis as a method for green processing

Over the years, biocatalytic research has grown enormously and the use of enzyme to catalyze almost any conceivable type of organic reaction has been or is being investigated. The idustrial use of enzyme for the synthesis of chemical is receiving increased attention as their potential for novel green chemistry is more widely recognized. The developments in recombinant DNA technology have led to improvements in the enzyme production in a variety of host organisms giving the biochemical engineer a greater choice of catalyst options. In addition, biotransformations, reactions catalyzed by biocatalyst, may now be carried out using a variety of enzyme forms (isolated enzyme cells or cells). Furthermore, recently it has been established that biocatalytic activity may be meintained in the presence of non-aqueous media. Biocatalysis under mild conditions with potentially non-harmful, renewable catalyst offers great potential for new organic chemical process and ultimately replacement technology. Biotransformations are now finding application not only as a means of synthesizing novel organic molecules but also degrading otherwise toxic and environmentally harmful compounds. The industrial usefulness of biotransformations has been increased via awareness of the particular role biocatalysis can play in the synthesis of enantiomerically pure products and it has also been increased via awareness of the particular role biocatalysis can play in the development of more environmentally compatible processes. Some selected industrial biotransformations demonstrating the mentioned advantages of the biocatalysis should be presented.

biocatalysis; biotransformations; green processing

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