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Operational concept for the improved synthesis of ( R )‐3,3'‐furoin and related hydrophobic compounds with benzaldehyde lyase
Author(s) -
AnsorgeSchumacher Marion B.,
Greiner Lasse,
Schroeper Florian,
Mirtschin Sebastian,
Hischer Tanja
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.200600030
Subject(s) - benzaldehyde , chemistry , aqueous solution , enantiopure drug , organic chemistry , inert , catalysis , enzyme catalysis , immobilized enzyme , enzyme , combinatorial chemistry , chemical engineering , enantioselective synthesis , engineering
Biphasic reaction systems for enzyme catalysis are an elegant way to overcome limited solubility and stability of reactants and facilitate continuous processes. However, many synthetically useful enzymes are not stable in biphasic systems of water and organic solvent. The entrapment in polymer beads of polyvinyl alcohol has been shown to enable the stable operation of enzymes unstable in conventional biphasic reaction systems. We report the extension of this concept to continuous operation in a fluidised bed reactor. The enzyme benzaldehyde lyase was used for the continuous synthesis of enantiopure ( R )‐3,3'‐furoin. The results show enhanced stability with half‐life times under operation conditions of more than 100 h, as well as superior enzyme utilisation in terms of productivity. Furthermore, racemisation and oxidation of the product could be successfully prevented under the non‐aqueous and inert reaction conditions.