Buscemi, Andrea
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Design of a biocatalytic flow reactor based on hierarchically structured monolithic silica for producing galactooligosaccharides (GOSs)
Climate change mitigation requires the development of greener chemical processes. In this context, biocatalysis is a pivotal key enabling technology. The advantages of biocatalysis include lower energy consumption levels, reduced hazardous waste production and safer processes. The possibility to carry out biocatalytic reactions under flow conditions provides the additional advantage to retain the biocatalyst and to reduce costly downstream processes. Herein, we report a method to produce galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) from a largely available feedstock (i.e. lactose from dairy production) using a flow reactor based on hierarchically structured monolithic silica. This reactor allows for fast and efficient biotransformation reaction in flow conditions.
Nanobiocatalysts with inbuilt cofactor recycling for oxidoreductase catalysis in organic solvents
The major stumbling block in the implementation of oxidoreductase enzymes in continuous processes is their stark dependence on costly cofactors that are insoluble in organic solvents. We describe a chemical strategy that allows producing nanobiocatalysts, based on an oxidoreductase enzyme, that performs biocatalytic reactions in hydrophobic organic solvents without external cofactors. The chemical design relies on the use of a silica-based carrier nanoparticle, of which the porosity can be exploited to create an aqueous reservoir containing the cofactor. The nanoparticle core, possessing radial-centred pore channels, serves as a cofactor reservoir. It is further covered with a layer of reduced porosity. This layer serves as a support for the immobilisation of the selected enzyme yet allowing the diffusion of the cofactor from the nanoparticle core. The immobilised enzyme is, in turn, shielded by an organosilica layer of controlled thickness fully covering the enzyme. Such produced nanobiocatalysts are shown to catalyse the reduction of a series of relevant ketones into the corresponding secondary alcohols, also in a continuous flow fashion. © 2023 RSC.