https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2023.033
Published: Kem. Ind. 73 (5-6) (2024) 237–248
Paper reference number: KUI-33/2023
Paper type: Review
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Biocatalysis in the Age of the Green Revolution

L. Glavinić, N. Milčić, Z. Findrik Blažević and M. Sudar

Abstract

In the era of the Green Revolution, awareness of the necessity to develop more sustainable alternatives to traditional industrial processes is growing. Nearly all industrial processes utilise catalysts that are nondegradable and potentially harmful to the environment. On the other hand, biocatalysts are enzymes – molecules evolved in a physiological environment – that are entirely biodegradable. Under mild reaction conditions such as physiological pH, room temperature, and pressure, they exhibit their highest catalytic activity and efficiency. Biocatalysis has been utilised since ancient times in the production of food items such as cheese, sourdough, beer, wine, and vinegar, without the knowledge of the background of the process. Over the last few decades, its industrial application has also increased, especially in the production of medicines and chemicals. All the advantages of biocatalysts, such as their high selectivity, high specificity toward substrates, and biodegradability, have been acknowledged. It is becoming increasingly evident that biocatalysis represents one of the key means to accomplish Sustainable Development Goals and to implement green chemistry in industrial processes, maximising the use of resources while minimising waste generation. Even though biocatalysis aligns with almost all green chemistry principles, and the potential of biocatalysts is experiencing exponential growth through the evolution of innovations and technological advancements, the mere presence of a biocatalyst in a chemical process does not imply sustainability of the process. The environmental acceptability, as well as the economic viability of the process need to be demonstrated as early as possible in its development by monitoring various metrics to save both time and money.

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Keywords

biocatalysis, enzymes, natural catalysts, green chemistry, application of biocatalysis in industry