Choice of biocatalyst form for scalable processes

Area of Science:

• Biocatalysis and Industrial Synthetic Chemistry

Background:

• The selection of catalyst form (isolated enzyme vs. whole-cell) significantly impacts biocatalytic process design.
• Understanding these choices is crucial for efficient industrial synthetic chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key considerations for choosing between isolated enzymes and whole-cell catalysts.
• To discuss important bioconversion classes in the context of catalyst selection.
• To review recent advancements in relevant engineering fields.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of factors influencing catalyst form selection.
• Discussion of specific bioconversion types and their suitability for different catalyst forms.
• Overview of recent developments in cell engineering, protein engineering, and reactor/process engineering.

Main Results:

• Key decision-making factors for catalyst form selection are identified.
• Specific bioconversion examples are analyzed based on catalyst choice.
• Recent engineering innovations impacting biocatalytic process design are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The choice of isolated enzyme or whole-cell catalyst is a critical determinant in designing industrial biocatalytic processes.
• Advancements in engineering fields offer new possibilities for optimizing biocatalysis.
• A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential for successful industrial applications.