Recent developments in biocatalysis beyond the laboratory

Biotechnol Lett. 2015 May;37(5):943-54. doi: 10.1007/s10529-014-1762-4. Epub 2015 Jan 3.

Abstract

Recent developments in biocatalysis, where implementation beyond the laboratory has been demonstrated, are explored: the use of transglutaminases to modify foods, reduce allergenicity and produce advanced materials, lipases for biodiesel production, and transaminases for biochemical production. The availability and application of enzymes at pilot and larger scale opens up possibilities for further improvements of biocatalyst-based processes and the development of new processes. Enzyme production, stability, activity, re-use, and product retrieval are common challenges for biocatalytic processes. We explore recent advances in biocatalysis within the process chain, such as protein engineering, enzyme expression, and biocatalyst immobilization, in the context of these challenges.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis*
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Biotechnology / trends
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Protein Engineering

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized