New approaches in biocatalytic reactions

Abstract

With recent advances in biocatalysis, several reactions and methodologies have been gaining prominence today. May be cited the reactions of carbon-carbon bond, such as aldol reactions, the synthesis of derivatives of natural products through enzymatic route, for example, flavonoids and their derivatives, and steroid hydroxylation of natural products. Also, from the point of view Biotechnology, reactions catalyzed by lipases can also be used in the synthesis of amides greases and molecules with antioxidant properties. In this context, the enzymes can be applied in different types of reactions for xenobiotic compounds and exhibit great specificity for substrates for various classes of compounds aimed products with different applications. As alternatives to the use of enzymes in organic reactions, further reactions can be employed using other classes of enzymes that can exert promiscuous function. For example, lipases, cellulases and cutinases (esterases) that can catalyze aldol reactions. Regarding the synthesis of chiral molecules by catalysis highlight the high enantioselectivity due to the intrinsic stereoselectivity of enzymes. Despite recent advances in the use of enzymes in biocatalysis, enzyme immobilization using new methodologies and / or application of microwave irradiation or ultrasound may be used to obtain better results. Immobilization in alginate and micro-fibroin and magnetic nanoparticles can promote the enzymatic catalysis several advantages, particularly as regards easy reuse of the biocatalyst and an increase in selectivity due to the conformational restrictions imposed on the enzyme. Another possible tool is the use of microwave or ultrasound, which can be used to reduce the reaction time by making more rapidly biocatalytic reaction. Thus, this project aims new methodological approaches and applications in the field of biocatalysis making the use of enzymes and microorganisms. (AU)