Biocatalysis and biotransformation in Brazil: An overview

Willian G Birolli; Irlon M Ferreira; Natália Alvarenga; Darlisson de A Santos; Iara L de Matos; João V Comasseto; André L M Porto

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.02.001

Biocatalysis and biotransformation in Brazil: An overview

Biotechnol Adv. 2015 Sep-Oct;33(5):481-510. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.02.001. Epub 2015 Feb 14.

Authors

Willian G Birolli¹, Irlon M Ferreira¹, Natália Alvarenga¹, Darlisson de A Santos¹, Iara L de Matos¹, João V Comasseto², André L M Porto³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Biocatálise, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100, J. Santa Angelina, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
² Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Artur Riedel, 275, 09972-270 Diadema, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: jvcomass@iq.usp.br.
³ Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Biocatálise, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100, J. Santa Angelina, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: almporto@iqsc.usp.br.

PMID: 25687277
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.02.001

Abstract

This review presents the recent research in biocatalysis and biotransformation in Brazil. Several substrates were biotransformed by fungi, bacteria and plants. Biocatalytic deracemization of secondary alcohols, oxidation of sulfides, sp(3) CH hydroxylation and epoxidation of alkenes were described. Chemo-enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohols and amines were carried out with lipases using several substrates containing heteroatoms such as silicon, boron, selenium and tellurium. Biotransformation of nitriles by marine fungi, hydrolysis of epoxides by microorganisms of Brazilian origin and biooxidation of natural products were described. Enzymatic reactions under microwave irradiation, continuous flow, and enzymatic assays using fluorescent probes were reported.

Keywords: Biooxidation; Bioreduction; Brazilian microorganisms; Chemo-enzymatic resolution; Deracemization; Epoxidation; Lipases.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Bacteria / metabolism*
Biocatalysis*
Biotechnology / methods*
Biotransformation*
Brazil
Fungi / metabolism*
Oxidation-Reduction