Applied Biocatalysis

The purpose of this course is to get insight in the possibilities and the problems concerning the application of biocatalysts for the preparation or conversion of chemicals and (bio)polymers. The biocatalyst (enzyme or microbial cell) is usually the most expensive part in the process, so it is often immobilised to enable its reuse. The course therefore starts with lectures on the chemistry of immobilisation and on the effects that immobilisation has on enzyme kinetics and transport phenomena. The latter will be illustrated by practical experiments at BPE. The course then continues with 3 PGO cases, in which students in small groups study three different problems: 1) pros and cons of two biocatalytic (or chemical) routes to make a particular fine chemical; 2) biocatalytic processing of polymers; 3) the application of biocatalysts to make biobased chemicals or biofuels. Downstream processing and economical aspects should be addressed in all three cases.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Evaluate and understand the effects of immobilisation, environmental effects and changes in kinetic parameters on the kinetics and selectivity of enzymes
• Analyse transport phenomena inside immobilised biocatalysts
• Calculate effectiveness factors and mass transfer coefficients
• Analyse literature reports on the biocatalytic synthesis of fine chemicals, and make decisions on the pros and cons of these routes
• Evaluate the factors that determine cost effectiveness in industrial biocatalytic processes
• Analyse literature on the use of enzymes for the production and/or conversion of (bio)polymers
• Analyse literature on the use of enzymes for the biotechnological production of biobased products from lignocellulosic by-products

Mandatory Knowledge:
ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety
Assumed Knowledge:
BIC20806 Enzymology; ORC12903 Organic Chemistry 2 and BPE21306 Bioreactor Design.