Whole Cell Biocatalysis

The concept of a circular economy relies on waste reduction, valorization, and recycling. Global trends for “green” synthesis of chemicals have positioned the field of enzyme technology and biocatalysis (multi-enzymes and whole-cells) as an alternative for the synthesis of more social- and environmentally-responsible bio-based chemicals. Recent advances in synthetic biology, computational tools, and metabolic engineering have supported the discovery of new enzymes and the rational design of whole-cell biocatalysts. In this book, we highlight these current advances in the field of biocatalysis, with special emphasis on novel enzymes and whole-cell biocatalysts for applications in several industrial biotechnological applications.

Whole-cell biocatalysis is a promising and emerging field of biological science that is mostly based on advancements in biosystems engineering for the production of useful products such as chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals. It is a unique platform that provides an efficient catalytic system at affordable cost and with low maintenance. Recent studies have proven that whole-cell catalysis is very useful in conducting many complex and complicated chemical reactions that could be executed with greater ease and in an eco-friendly manner in ambient conditions with zero/minimal ecological effect. This has made whole-cell biocatalysis very popular and a center of significance in the field of modern biological catalysis. This new volume offers a comprehensive understanding of whole-cell biocatalysis, beginning with an introduction and an overview of relevant tools and techniques. It presents the basic as well as the advanced concepts of whole-cell biocatalysis, thus acting as a complete guide for the reader. It looks at the promising developments that have taken place in the past decade and discusses the application of computational tools, the use of metabolic flux systems, and the role of metabolic networks for the cell system development for whole-cell catalysis. The chapters explore whole-cell biocatalysis for the production of chemicals, of fuels, and for environmental restoration, with case studies and success stories that showcase new developments in the technology. This volume provides a valuable presentation of whole-cell biocatalysis for graduate students, faculty, industry professionals, and others working in biochemistry and bio-systems engineering.

The concept of a circular economy relies on waste reduction, valorization, and recycling. Global trends for “green” synthesis of chemicals have positioned the field of enzyme technology and biocatalysis (multi-enzymes and whole-cells) as an alternative for the synthesis of more social- and environmentally-responsible bio-based chemicals. Recent advances in synthetic biology, computational tools, and metabolic engineering have supported the discovery of new enzymes and the rational design of whole-cell biocatalysts. In this book, we highlight these current advances in the field of biocatalysis, with special emphasis on novel enzymes and whole-cell biocatalysts for applications in several industrial biotechnological applications.

Whereas the hydrolases such as proteases, esterases and lipases are sufficiently well researched to be applied in every standard laboratory, other types of enzymes are still waiting to be discovered with respect to their applicability in organic-chemistry transformations on a preparative scale. This latter point is stressed here, with the focus on the newcomer-enzymes'which show great synthetic potential.

Biocatalysts are increasingly used by chemists engaged in fine chemical synthesis within both industry and academia. Today, there exists a huge choice of high-tech enzymes and whole cell biocatalysts, which add enormously to the repertoire of synthetic possibilities. Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations 2 is a "how-to" guide that focuses on the practical applications of enzymes and strains of microorganisms that are readily obtained or derived from culture collections. The sources of starting materials and reagents, hints, tips and safety advice (where appropriate) are given to ensure, as far as possible, that the procedures are reproducible. Comparisons to alternative methodology are given and relevant references to the primary literature are cited. This second volume – which can be used on its own or in combination with the first volume - concentrates on new applications and new enzyme families reported since the first volume. Contents include: introduction to recent developments and future needs in biocatalysts and synthetic biology in industry reductive amination enoate reductases for reduction of electron deficient alkenes industrial carbonyl reduction regio- and stereo- selective hydroxylation oxidation of alcohols selective oxidation industrial hydrolases and related enzymes transferases for alkylation, glycosylation and phosphorylation C-C bond formation and decarboxylation halogenation/dehalogenation/heteroatom oxidation tandem and sequential multi-enzymatic syntheses Practical Methods for Biocatalysis and Biotransformations 2 is an essential collection of biocatalytic methods for chemical synthesis which will find a place on the bookshelves of synthetic organic chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, and process R&D chemists in industry and academia.

Provides clear and comprehensive coverage of recently developed applied biocatalysis for synthetic organic chemists with an emphasis to promote green chemistry in pharmaceutical and process chemistry This book aims to make biocatalysis more accessible to both academic and industrial synthetic organic chemists. It focuses on current topics within the applied industrial biocatalysis field and includes short but detailed experimental methods on timely novel biocatalytic transformations using new enzymes or new methodologies using known enzymes. The book also features reactions that are “expanding and making the enzyme toolbox available to chemists”—providing readers with comprehensive methodology and detailed key sourcing information of a wide range of enzymes. Chapters in Applied Biocatalysis: The Chemist’s Enzyme Toolkit are organized by reaction type and feature a short introductory section describing the current state of the art for each example. Much of the book focuses on processes for which the enzymes are readily available so that organic chemists can synthesize appropriate quantities of chemicals with available materials in a standard chemical laboratory. Advanced methods are included to present examples of new enzymes that might encourage collaboration with suppliers or academic groups and that will educate chemists of rapidly expanding future possibilities. Focuses on current topics within the applied industrial biocatalysis field Offers experimental methods on novel biocatalytic transformations using new enzymes or new methodology using known enzymes Covers the hot topics of enzyme and chemoenzymatic cascades and biocatalysis in flow Edited by noted experts from both academia and industry with years of experience in the field of biocatalysis—particularly, the industrial applications of enzymes Written for synthetic organic chemists working in all industries but especially the pharmaceutical industry and for those in academia with an eye for biocatalysis, Applied Biocatalysis: The Chemist’s Enzyme Toolkit will also benefit academic groups in chemistry and related sciences that are using enzymes for synthetic purposes, as well as those working in the area of enzymology and molecular biology.