Multienzyme-Catalyzed Processes: Next-Generation Biocatalysis

Biocatalysis has been attracting increasing interest in recent years. Nevertheless, most studies concerning biocatalysis have been carried out using single enzymes (soluble or immobilized). Currently, multiple enzyme mixtures are attractive for the production of many compounds at an industrial level.

In this review, a classification of multienzyme-catalyzed processes is proposed. Special emphasis is placed on the description of multienzyme ex-vivo systems where several reactions are carried out by a combination of enzymes acting outside the cell. Furthermore, reaction and process considerations for mathematical modeling are discussed for the specific case where the synthetic reactions are carried out in a single reactor, the so-called multienzyme ‘in-pot’ process.

In addition, options for multienzyme ‘in-pot’ process improvements via process engineering and enzyme immobilization technology are described. Finally, enzyme modification via protein engineering is also discussed, such that a better compatibility of the enzymes in the reactor is achieved as a means of assisting the implementation of multienzyme ‘in-pot’ processes.