Microscale technology and biocatalytic processes: Opportunities and challenges for synthesis

Roland Wohlgemuth, Igor Plazl, Polona Žnidaršič-Plazl, Krist Gernaey, John Woodley

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Despite the expanding presence of microscale technology in chemical synthesis and energy production as well as in biomedical devices and analytical and diagnostic tools, its potential in biocatalytic processes for pharmaceutical and fine chemicals, as well as related industries, has not yet been fully exploited. The aim of this review is to shed light on the strategic advantages of this promising technology for the development and realization of biocatalytic processes and subsequent product recovery steps, demonstrated with examples from the literature. Constraints, opportunities, and the future outlook for the implementation of these key green engineering methods and the role of supporting tools such as mathematical models to establish sustainable production processes are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
JournalTrends in Biotechnology
Volume33
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)302-314
ISSN0167-7799
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Biocatalytic process
  • Enzymatic microreactors
  • Flow synthesis
  • Microscale technology
  • Miniaturized production
  • Process intensification
  • Chemical analysis
  • Micro reactor
  • Indicators (chemical)

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