Biotechnology asymmetric synthesis

Amidjojo, M., Franco-Lara, E., Nowak, A. et al. (2005) Asymmetric synthesis of tert-butyl (3R,5S) 6-chloro-dihydroxyhexanoate with Lactobacillus kefir. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 69 (1), 9-15. 

Hydrolases were in the first catalogue after the company was founded in 1950 but, not surprisingly, the chiral molecules originated mainly from the chiral pool. The first biocatalytic reactions were developed with kidney acylases and later with esterases and lipases, in the beginning mainly animal-derived biocatalysts [10], The set-up of in-house biocatalyst production from microbial and plant sources as well as the construction of a new biotechnology laboratory with ten fermenters of up to 300 L total volume, allow the development and production of improved biocatalysts and for them to be applied in the asymmetric synthesis of laboratory chemicals. There are today more than 100 biocatalytic processes in routine production and a project management team is handling custom biotransformations. 

Over the last decade in vitro enzymatic catalysis has established itself as an indispensable tool in the synthesis of small molecules both at the academic and industrial level. Examples can be found in the production of pharmaceutical intermediates where biotechnology is generating significant turnover and reducing environmental impact [1]. The success of enzyme catalysis in these reactions is based on the selectivity and efficiency of enzymes by promoting reactions that are not easily accessible by conventional techniques. Examples are the replacement of tedious protection/deportation chemistry (chemo- and regioselectivity) and asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds (enantioselectivity). 

OECD Report, The Application of Biotechnology to Industrial Sustainability, 2001, http //www. Loecd.org/publications/e-book/9301061e.pdf Panke, S., Held, M., and Wubbolts, M. Curr. Op. Biotech. 2004, 35, 272-279 Plomp, P., de Boer, L., van Rooijen, R., and Meima, R. 2004, Patent WO 04/030468 Pochlauer, P., Skranc, W., and Wubbolts, M. The large-scale biocatalytic synthesis of enantiopure cyanohydrins in Asymmetric Catalysis on Industrial Scale, H. U. Blaser, and E. Schmidt (Eds.), Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2004,151-164 Schmid, A., Dordick, J. S., Hauer, B., Kiener, A., Wubbolts, M., and Wifholt, B. Nature,... 

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