The Present Status of Biocatalytic Processes

Even a few years ago, biocatalytic processes on an industrial scale were few. As with so many novel technologies, however, the time lag between research, development, and large-scale application just had to pass before we could witness a range of such processes in industrial practice today. In a review summarizing the status of biocatalytic processing in industry, Straathof (2002) records that the number of industrial-scale biocatalytic processes has more than doubled over the last 10 years. 

Straathof included 134 industrial-scale biotransformations, counting processes on a scale of 100 kg with whole cells or enzymes starting from a precursor other than a C-source. Among the highlights of this review were the facts that  

BC Unknown Old World Chymosin from calf and sheep stomach utilized for production of cheese 

1783- 1836 Spallanzani verifies in vitro digestion of meat in stomach juice factor called pepsin  

1876 Ktihne term enzyme for catalysts not bound to living cells ( unorganized ferments ) 

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