Route selection and reaction engineering for sustainable metabolite synthesis

Abstract

The great advances in information technology are providing fast access to potential routes to a desired metabolite from possible starting materials. While routes can be easily ranked according to clearly...

Synthesis of Metabolites and Metabolite-like Compounds Using Biocatalytic Systems

“…Biocatalytic system design and engineering towards the synthesis of metabolites starts with route selection and includes the preparation of suitable biocatalysts and raw materials, reaction engineering, process integration, intensification, and scaling of the selected metabolite manufacturing processes [35]. The main aim of this work focuses on designing and engineering biocatalytic systems in order to produce metabolites.…”

“…Biocatalytic whole-cell systems are also connected with a high degree of complexity, which can be reduced by using cell-free biocatalytic systems (see Figure 2) in different forms of purification, from crude cell-free extracts to isolated and purified enzymes. Whatever biocatalytic system is considered, bioprocess design and engineering need to address and optimize various parameters such as biocatalytic pathway selection, form and status of the biocatalysts, reaction engineering, downstream processing, and purification of the metabolites [35,54]. Cell-free biocatalytic systems have the advantage of reducing the bioprocess complexity through the absence of interfering and degrading enzymes or the removal of mass-transfer limitations for substrates and products [54].…”

“…Synthesis has also been key for proving the correct molecular structure [32] and for the production of larger amounts of the pure metabolite [33,34]. While synthetic organic chemistry provides a significant repertoire of well-established reactions, safety, and health, environment and sustainability aspects have become of increasing importance in the industrial manufacturing processes of metabolites [35]. Improving resource and energy efficiency, reducing risks and the extensive use of natural resources, and avoiding the use of toxic chemicals are major planetary issues for sustainable development.…”

Synthesis of Metabolites and Metabolite-Like Compounds Using Biocatalytic Systems

“…Synthesis has also been key for proving the correct molecular structure [31], and for the production of larger amounts of the pure metabolite [32,33]. While synthetic organic chemistry provides a huge repertoire of well-established reactions, tools and strategies for the synthesis of metabolites, safety, health, environment and sustainability aspects have become of increasing importance in industrial manufacturing processes for metabolites [34]. Metabolic pathways used by biological organisms to prepare valuable metabolites from raw materials available in their environment have also been successfully utilized and developed into industrial bioprocesses for manufacturing of metabolites, metabolite-like compounds, non-natural chemical entities and metabolites thereof [35][36][37].…”

“…The significance of biocatalytic systems for metabolite production is connected with general strategic advantages of using biocatalysis in synthesis, such as high selectivity, shortened synthetic routes, safety, health and sustainability benefits [41]. Biocatalytic system design and engineering towards the synthesis of metabolites starts with route selection and includes the preparation of suitable biocatalysts and raw materials, reaction engineering, process integration, intensification and scaling of the selected metabolite manufacturing processes [34]. The main aim of the work focusses on designing and engineering biocatalytic systems in order to produce metabolites.…”