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Updated: Jul 9, 2025
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Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
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Microbial alcohol dehydrogenases: recent developments and applications in asymmetric synthesis
Anju Chadha1, Santosh Kumar Padhi2, Selvaraj Stella3
1Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600 036, Tamil Nadu, India. anjuc@faculty.iitm.ac.in.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
|December 5, 2023
Summary
Microbial alcohol dehydrogenases offer green chemistry advantages for synthesizing chemicals. Engineered enzymes and cofactor regeneration systems enhance their industrial application in asymmetric synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and enzymology
- Green chemistry and biocatalysis
- Industrial biotechnology
Background:
- Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are oxidoreductases utilizing NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H cofactors for alcohol/carbonyl reactions.
- Purified ADHs offer green chemistry benefits over traditional synthesis but require cofactor regeneration.
- Recombinant enzymes and engineered variants address industrial demands for selectivity and scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in microbial alcohol dehydrogenases.
- To highlight their applications in industrial biotransformations, particularly asymmetric synthesis.
- To emphasize the role of enzyme engineering and cofactor regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microbial alcohol dehydrogenases.
- Analysis of enzyme engineering strategies for improved selectivity.
- Overview of cofactor regeneration techniques (enzymatic and non-enzymatic).
Main Results:
- Engineered ADHs demonstrate high substrate and stereoselectivity for industrial applications.
- Recombinant enzyme production has largely overcome scalability challenges.
- Efficient cofactor regeneration systems improve the economic viability of biocatalytic processes.
Conclusions:
- Microbial alcohol dehydrogenases are valuable tools in green chemistry and industrial synthesis.
- Enzyme engineering and cofactor regeneration are crucial for optimizing biocatalytic processes.
- Continued development of ADHs promises further advancements in sustainable chemical production.
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