Monitoring and Controlling Biocatalytic Processes

by John Woodley and Paul A. Bird, the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at University College, London, and David C.A. Sharp, Pfizer Global R&D. Increased selectivity and byproduct prevention are some of the advantages of using biocatalytic processes for manufacturing chiral products and chemical intermediates. yet no industrial processes are currently using biocatalysts with Baeyer?Villiger monooxygenases because, among other factors, available monitoring and control techniques have not been rapid enough to prevent reactant and product inhibition. However, as the authors describe, rapid monitoring and control can now be achieved using near-infrared spectroscopy that, during tests, resulted in a 30% gain in productivity.