2015•Biotechnology AdvancesOpen access
Biocatalysis and biotransformation in Brazil: An overview
Willian Garcia Birolli, Irlon Maciel Ferreira, Natália Alvarenga, Darlisson de Alexandria Santos, Iara Lisboa de Matos, J. V. Comasseto, André Luiz Meleiro Porto
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Abstract
This review presents the recent research in biocatalysis and biotransformation in Brazil. Several substrates were biotransformed by fungi, bacteria and plants. Biocatalytic deracemization of secondary alcohols, oxidation of sulfides, sp(3) CH hydroxylation and epoxidation of alkenes were described. Chemo-enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohols and amines were carried out with lipases using several substrates containing heteroatoms such as silicon, boron, selenium and tellurium. Biotransformation of nitriles by marine fungi, hydrolysis of epoxides by microorganisms of Brazilian origin and biooxidation of natural products were described. Enzymatic reactions under microwave irradiation, continuous flow, and enzymatic assays using fluorescent probes were reported.