Biocatalyst Selection

The choice of catalyst for a particular biotransformation will be influenced by a number of factors, but three are fundamental. The first is the availability of biocatalysts, and this may range from pure enzyme, partially purified enzyme, crude enzyme preparation, cell/organelle extract, dead whole cells, to living whole cells, which may be growing or resting cultures. The next factor is a suitable bioreactor together with optimum configuration and operating conditions for efficient biocatalysis.
Many configurations are available and these considerations are influenced by biocatalyst characteristics, substrate properties and requirements of the finished product. The third key factor is the need or not for the additional features provided by immobilisation, and this will depend on choices made for the first two factors.