Ecofriendly chirotechnologies: Approaches utilizing
immobilized biocatalysts*
K. Rama Rao1, N. Bhanumathi1, L.
Rajender Reddy1, Ravi Sirdeshmukh2, Y. Ramadasu2,
and S. Srinivasulu2
1. Biotransformation Group, Organic Chemistry-1, Indian Institute
of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad - 500 007, India
2. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500 007,
India
Abstract: The growing awareness of the importance of chirality
in diverse fields, in conjunction with stringent environmental regulations
has led to the increasing demand for ecofriendly technologies for
the synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds. Amongst various
possibilities, biocatalysts especially in their immobilized form
have become economically and environmentally most attractive as
they catalyze reactions with high regio- and stereoselectivity under
mild conditions. Apart from this, these immobilized biocatalysts
can be used repeatedly under more stabilized conditions.
The production of aminoacids and peptides
utilizing immobilized microbial cells and enzymes will be
highlighted.
The utility of immobilized microbial cells
for the synthesis of aminoacids will be exemplified by a study
of the parameters such as culturing of organism under different
growth conditions for maximum activity, different immobilization
methods and turnover cycles, study of various conditions for
optimization of yields etc.
The use of proteases in organic media for the synthesis
of peptides will also be discussed. This area of research in peptide
synthesis is becoming a promising field in biotechnology especially
due to good solubility of hydrophobic substrates in organic media
and possibilities of reversal of hydrolytic reactions. Application
of enzymes adsorbed on solid supports for the synthesis of peptides
in organic media will be illustrated.
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