Biocatalytic reduction of benzaldehyde using vegetable wastes as enzyme sources

Abstract

The aqueous extracts of the following vegetable wastes were used as an enzyme source to reduce benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol: capulin, mamey, green pepper, chili, and avocado seeds; bean, turnip rape, fava bean, lima bean, and jinicuil pods; papaya peel, and chive leaves. The highest conversions of benzaldehyde were obtained with the capulin and mamey seeds, bean pods and chive leaves (86%, 77%, 54%, and 45% of benzyl alcohol respectively). The biocatalytic methodology proposed avoids the generation of chemical toxic waste because metallic reducing agents are used in the chemical reduction; and the biological residues can be used as fertilizers. This procedure complies with some of the principles of green chemistry.

Process Development for Benzyl Alcohol Production by Whole-Cell Biocatalysis in Stirred and Packed Bed Reactors

“…114 mg/L, at a yield of 7.6 mg/g glucose, were attained. Oba et al produced benzyl alcohol using vegetable wastes such as bean pods, green apple peel and avocado seeds as the source of enzymes [ 10 ]. The highest conversions of benzaldehyde were obtained with the capulin (86%) and mamey seeds (77%).…”