Enzymes, worldwide demand

During the last ten years, many research results have shown that oxidative polymerization catalyzed by peroxidases is a convenient, resource-saving, and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing phenol polymers. In contrast to the conventional synthesis of phenol-formaldehyde resins, the peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of phenol proceeds under mild reaction conditions (room temperature, neutral pH). The polymerization of toxic phenols has promising potential for the cleaning of wastewaters. Moreover, the polymerization of phenols from renewable resources is expected to attract much attention in times of worldwide demand for the replacement of petroleum-derived raw materials. Besides the environment-protecting aspects of this innovative type of polymerization, the enzyme-catalyzed polymerization represents a convenient method to reahze new types of functional polyaromatic polymers. Phenol polymers made by peroxidase catalysis should have much potential for electronic and optical apphcations. The synthesis of functional phenol polymers is facihtated by the fact that poly-... 

There are thousands of breweries worldwide. However, the number of companies using fermentation to produce therapeutic substances and/or fine chemicals number well over 150, and those that grow microorganisms for food and feed number nearly 100. Lists of representative fermentation products produced commercially and the corresponding companies are available (1). Numerous other companies practice fermentation in some small capacity because it is often the only route to synthesize biochemical intermediates, enzymes, and many fine chemicals used in minor quantities. The large volume of L-phenylalanine is mainly used in the manufacture of the artificial dipeptide sweetener known as aspartame [22389-47-0]. Prior to the early 1980s there was httle demand for L-phenyl alanine, most of which was obtained by extraction from human hair and other nonmicrobiological sources. 

According to Bhat (2000), the world market in 1995 for industrial enzymes was above 1.0 billion U. S. dollars, where 20% was attributed to cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase sales. This market increased to around 1.6 billion in 2000 and 2.0 billion in 2005. Presently, it is estimated at 4 billion U. S. dollars, 60% of which is for industrial enzymes (Costa et al., 2007). The world demand for enzymes is expected to rise 6.5% annually, to nearly 5.1 billion U. S. dollars, in 2009, according to the market researcher Freedonia Group (www.fredoniagroup.com). In this context, hydrolases represent 75% of the industrial enzymes, and carbohydrases are the second largest group of industrial enzymes. On a worldwide level, industrial enzymes are produced in Europe (60%) the balance is from the U. S. A. and Japan (40%). 

Enzyme demand in detergent formulations is rising worldwide. The enzyme types used in detergents are proteases, lipases, amylases, and cellulases. New enzymes with unique properties are already being applied to replace the cleaning power of chlorine, while others are being developed for bleaching applications. These enzymes, as protein molecules, would be subjected to harsh con-... 

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