Abstract

Accelerating Biphasic Biocatalysis Through Continuous Flow

Thomas Wirth, Professor, Cardiff University

Process intensification through continuous flow reactions has increased the production rates of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Product generation in segmented flow systems is significantly faster than in traditional batch reactors, which is exemplified in high yield esterifications and in the sesquiterpene cyclase-catalyzed synthesis of sesquiterpenes from farnesyl diphosphate as high-value natural products with applications in medicine, agriculture and the fragrance industry. Product release in sesquiterpene synthases is rate limiting due to the hydrophobic nature of sesquiterpenes, but a biphasic system allows for highly efficient reactions. Results on enzyme immobilization and applications of this strategy towards the synthesis of artemisinin are also shown.