Advanced Biocatalysts for Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

The field of sustainable chemical synthesis is increasingly pivoting towards the use of biocatalysts, particularly engineered enzymes, to meet industrial demands while adhering to environmental standards. Enzymes offer remarkable specificity and operate under mild conditions compared to traditional chemical catalysts, minimizing energy consumption and hazardous by-products. For example, lipases are utilized in the synthesis of biodiesel due to their ability to catalyze esterification and transesterification reactions efficiently and cleanly. Similarly, the use of nitrilases in the production of acrylamide exemplifies the reduction of harmful by-products when compared to traditional chemical routes. However, the application of enzymes in industry poses challenges, mainly due to their natural sensitivity to harsh processing environments.

Recent advances have shown promising strides in enhancing enzyme stability and efficiency through genetic and chemical modifications, yet the integration of these biocatalysts into commercial settings remains partially explored and offers substantial room for research. This Research Topic aims to explore the modification of enzymes to better fit industrial settings, enhancing their stability, and efficiency for use in sustainable chemical synthesis. Specific focuses will include understanding the interactions of enzymes with non-natural substrates, assessing modifications that can prolong enzyme life under industrial conditions, and developing methodologies for their large-scale implementation.

To explore the robust applications of enzymes in industrial scenarios, we welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods and Perspective articles addressing the following themes:

• Innovative approaches to enzyme design and modification for enhanced stability and efficiency;

• Examples of biocatalysts facilitating industrial chemical processes;

• Advances in genetic engineering for tailoring enzymes towards specific synthetic pathways;

• Developmental strategies for the cost-effective production and purification of robust enzymes.

Please note that Microbiotechnology does not consider descriptive studies that are solely based on amplicon (e.g., 16S rRNA) profiles, unless they are accompanied by a clear hypothesis and experimentation and provide insight into the microbiological system or process being studied.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Engineered enzymes, Sustainable chemical synthesis, Biocatalysts, Enzyme stability, Genetic engineering, Enzyme modification, Industrial applications

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.