Deep eutectic solvents for redox biocatalysis

Abstract

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are a class of neoteric solvents used in multiple applications amongst which biocatalytic processes. Due to its simple preparation, low cost and inherent biodegradable properties, its use as a non-volatile biocompatible co-solvent with both whole cells and isolated enzymes has displayed increased enzyme activity and stability translating to higher product conversions and a surprising higher enantioselectivity in a range of biotransformations. This review lays out the latest updates on the use of DES in redox biocatalytic reactions. With that purpose, a clear division has been made to summarize the application of DES in bioreduction reactions using whole cells and purified alcohol dehydrogenases, oxidations involving alcohol dehydrogenases, heme-dependent enzymes, peroxidases, laccases and catalases, ozonolysis reactions, and finally mention the application of lipase in the mediation of chemoenzymatic epoxidation and Baeyer-Villiger reactions.

Keywords: Deep eutectic solvents; Neoteric solvents; Non-conventional media; Redox biocatalysis; Whole cells catalysis.