Lipase-Catalyzed Enantioselective Resolution of Chiral Pesticides and Herbicides: Advances in Biocatalysis and Enzyme...

Chiral pesticides and herbicides (CPHs) show significant enantioselective differences in bioactivity, toxicity, and environmental behavior, making single-enantiomer production highly desirable for better efficacy and lower ecological risk. Among existing methods, lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution is a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and chromatographic separations, as it has advantages of mild reaction conditions, low toxic and harmful byproducts, and excellent catalytic performance. Lipases have been broadly utilized for the production and processing of various CPHs, including organophosphorus pesticides, aryloxypropionate herbicides, pyrethroids, and aromatic amides. During the processing carried out through esterification, transesterification, and hydrolysis reactions, strategies such as solvent engineering, tailored reaction media, enzyme immobilization, and membrane-assisted processes can improve the catalytic efficiency, stereoselectivity, and stability. Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted design of lipase, such as rational design, semirational design, and de novo design, will greatly change the prospects of enzyme engineering for the lipase-catalyzed enantioselective resolution of CPHs.