(69h) In Situ Real-Time Monitoring of Biotransformations

Enzymes, as biocatalysts, are a highly suitable, environmentally friendly alternative to heavy metal industrial catalysts. The “Green Chemistry” nature of enzymes as catalysts is based on a number of characteristics. Enzymes are biodegradable and typically produced through fermentation of renewable feedstocks or easily mass produced through recombinant technologies. Enzymes also catalyze chemical reactions under mild temperature (20°C-40°C) and pH conditions (pH 5-8), and perform well in aqueous environments. The chemical, petroleum, agriculture, polymer, electronics and pharmaceutical industries rely on catalysis to optimize their chemical processes. It is estimated that at least 90% of chemicals produced rely to some extent on catalysis. In recent years researchers have increasingly focused their attention on green chemistry, including catalysis. Examples of enzyme-catalyzed industrial-scale organic reactions include hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, addition – elimination, halogenation and dehalogenation, and transesterification. This presentation reviews case studies from pharma, academia and the military, showing how in situ mid-IR was used to monitor the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in real time, to enable researchers to understand reaction mechanisms, and determine kinetic parameters and reduce costs.