Micro-Enzyme-Membrane Reactor – a tool for assessing enzyme activity and stability under continuous reaction conditions
Integration of life sciences & engineering
Bio-transformation in the Laboratory and in Large Scale Production (T5-3)
Keywords: micro reactor, membrane reactor, enzyme catalysis, cofactor generation
The Enzyme-Membrane-Reactor (EMR) has proven to be a reactor concept which is applicable to the continuous production of fine chemicals without the need for laborious immobilisation protocols. However, evaluation of (bio-)catalyst stability under realistic process conditions is often hampered by the limited availability of enzyme and/or starting materials.
Therefore, we developed a Micro-Enzyme-Membrane Reactor (MEMR) with a volume of less than 200µL that allows evaluation of continuous conditions at early stage process development. Following previous set ups a new design with increased membrane area to volume ratio allowing for variable volumes and different flow characteristics was developed.
A range of reactions utilising a variety of different enzymes was carried out and monitored online by chromatography or spectrometry. Among them is the enantioselective reduction of acetophenone to phenylethanol by various alcohol dehydrogenases. Apart from its model character enantiopure phenylethanol is a common intermediate in organic synthesis e.g. fragrances and pharmaceuticals. The enzymes will be compared for enzymatic activity and stability under continuous reaction conditions. Another reaction of current interest is the reductive production of NADH from NAD+ with malate dehydrogenase (MDH). Results will be presented for this new method for cofactor generation and regeneration.
Presented Thursday 20, 14:40 to 15:00, in session Bio-transformation in the Laboratory and in Large Scale Production (T5-3).
