The first 200-L scale asymmetric Baeyer-Villiger oxidation using a whole-cell biocatalyst

Biocatalytic Baeyer-Villiger oxidations using oxygen as an environmentally friendly oxidant in aqueous media have been shown to proceed with excellent stereo- and enantioselectivity for a large number of substrates at laboratory scale. These are good starting boundary conditions for process research and development compared to systems with reactive oxidants and flammable organic solvents. In this paper we discuss some of the considerations required to scale up a whole-cell biocatalytic oxidation from the laboratory to pilot-plant (200 L) scale. Issues for fermentation, bioconversion, and product recovery are discussed, supported by data from pilot-plant and scale-down experimentation. A simple fed-batch approach has been used.