Recent advances in oxidase biocatalysts: Enzyme discovery, cascade reactions and scale up

Enzymatic oxidation reactions may offer 'greener' alternatives to chemical oxidation processes, which have typically involved toxic metal catalysts, generation of toxic byproducts or poor atom economy. Oxidases function at ambient temperature and pressure with no external cofactor recycling systems required. This review examines recent progress in oxidases, including enzyme discovery and engineering, and the application of these biocatalysts in cascade reactions. Process requirements including reactor design, oxygen supply and use of nonaqueous solvents are explored for the utilisation of oxidases on industrial scale.

Automated summary

Enzymatic oxidation reactions are considered as sustainable alternatives to chemical oxidation processes due to their ability to work at ambient conditions without the need for toxic metal catalysts or external cofactor recycling systems. This review focuses on recent developments in oxidases, including enzyme discovery, engineering, and their application in cascade reactions. It also explores the process requirements for utilizing oxidases on an industrial scale, such as reactor design, oxygen supply, and the use of nonaqueous solvents.