catalysts - bio catalysis (enzymes)

Although industrial catalysts have had a huge impact on reducing energy use and waste, some of the most impressive catalysts are in biological systems. These are the enzymes that control processes in living organisms. They usually generate very specific products, and operate effectively at ambient temperatures and pressures.

Traditional Bio-catalysis

Bio-catalysis has been in use for thousands of years for the production of ethanol using yeast, and this remains an important method for industrial production. More details can be found in the ethanol section.

photo: magnified yeast

Enzymes find wide use as catalysts, particularly in food and pharmaceutical production. For more information on applications of enzyme catalysis, see the catalysis-ed site.

New Bio-catalysis

Gene technology has enabled the development of modified strains of yeast and bacteria that are able to synthesise a wider range of products. This has found practical application in several areas.

A broader range of crop and waste material can be used to make ethanol by using modified bacteria. More details of this can be found in the ethanol section.
Modified yeast is being used to synthesise proteins needed for industrial and medical research. This is particularly useful in cancer research where the processes of cell division needs to be understood more fully.
Ibuprofen exists as two isomers, but only one is effective as a painkiller. Separation can be achieved using an enzyme that only acts on one isomer.
Hexanedioic acid, used in the manufacture of nylon, can be made using modified bacteria, without the problem of N₂O waste being generated. Find out more about the Draths-Frost synthesis in the nylon section.
The same research team that developed the Draths-Frost synthesis of hexanedioic acid has also developed potential manufacturing routes for several other commercially important chemicals from carbohydrates.