Multi-Enzymatic Cascade Reactions: Overview and Perspectives

Multi-enzymatic cascade reactions, i.e., the combination of several enzymatic transformations in concurrent one-pot processes, offer considerable advantages: the demand of time, costs and chemicals for product recovery may be reduced, reversible reactions can be driven to completion and the concentration of harmful or unstable compounds can be kept to a minimum. This review summarizes the developments in multi-enzymatic cascades employed for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohols, amines and amino acids, as well as for C-C bond formation. In addition, a general classification of biocatalytic cascade systems is provided and bioprocess engineering aspects associated with the topic are discussed.