Jul 2026· Journal of Pharmaceutical Research· 0 citations
Abstract
Biocatalysis, which combines green chemistry and white biotechnology, provides a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical synthesis. Enzymes and microbial systems act as selective, renewable catalysts, enabling complex reactions under mild conditions with minimal waste and high atom economy. In pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, biocatalysis supports shorter synthetic routes, improved stereoselectivity, and regulatory compliance. Advances in enzyme engineering, such as directed evolution, rational design, and machine learning, have expanded the capabilities and robustness of biocatalysts. Techniques such as enzyme immobilization and whole-cell catalysis enhance stability and cost efficiency. Case studies, including simvastatin and pregabalin synthesis, showcase its practical benefits. The integration of chemoenzymatic strategies merges enzymatic precision with chemical versatility, streamlining synthesis. Aligned with the 12 principles of green chemistry, biocatalysis reduces hazardous reagents, lowers energy use, and enables renewable feedstocks. As regulatory bodies promote greener practices, its industrial adoption grows. Future directions include AI-guided enzyme discovery and continuous flow systems for scalable, eco-friendly production. This review explores the current landscape, key innovations, and future directions of biocatalysis in sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Keywords: Biocatalysis; Green Chemistry, White Biotechnology, Enzyme Engineering, Sustainable Synthesis, Biotransformation, Eco-friendly Catalysis
Bioprocess engineering sits at the interface of biology and chemical engineering and has become a central pillar of the transition towards a low-carbon, circular economy. Over the past decade, advances in strain design, bioreactor engineering, biocatalysis, feedstock diversification, downstream processing and digitalisation have collectively reshaped how biological systems are engineered for industrial production. This review synthesises recent literature on these interconnected domains, with particular emphasis on sustainability outcomes such as reduced water and energy intensity, greenhouse gas mitigation, waste valorisation and circularity of biobased materials. Upstream innovations, including CRISPR-based genome editing, dynamic metabolic control and membrane engineering, have improved the robustness and productivity of microbial cell factories. In parallel, bioreactor engineering has progressed through single-use technologies, continuous and intensified processing and improved oxygen transfer strategies, although trade-offs between operational flexibility and environmental burden remain contested. Biocatalysis has matured through advances in enzyme immobilisation, enabling greener, more selective and reusable industrial catalysts. Feedstock diversification towards lignocellulosic residues, gaseous one-carbon substrates and microalgal biomass has expanded the substrate base available to fermentation industries, while precision fermentation and polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis illustrate the growing convergence between food, materials and waste-valorisation sectors. Digital tools, including process analytical technology, machine learning and digital twins, are increasingly embedded within what is termed Bioprocessing 4.0, offering real-time control and predictive optimisation. This review draws on close to thirty peer-reviewed sources published within the last decade to critically appraise these developments, identify persistent technical and economic bottlenecks and outline priorities for future research. The evidence indicates that sustainable bioprocess engineering is no longer a peripheral consideration but a defining criterion against which new bioprocesses must be evaluated.
Vasudevan Ranganathan, M. Sreeja, A. Gunasri et al.· Journal of Applied Life Scie...· 0 citations
Biodiesel is a promising renewable fuel, but its large‐scale commercialization is constrained by catalyst inefficiency, feedstock variability, and high production costs. Green nanocatalysts have emerged as sustainable alternatives owing to their high surface area, tunable acid–base properties, defect‐rich surfaces, and enhanced catalytic activity for esterification and transesterification. This review critically examines recent advances in bioresource‐derived metal oxide, magnetic, carbon‐based, and hybrid nanocatalysts, emphasizing the structure–activity relationships that govern catalytic performance. The roles of oxygen vacancies, surface defects, and active sites in alcohol activation and reaction pathways are highlighted. Catalyst deactivation mechanisms, including agglomeration, carbonation, metal leaching, fouling, and regeneration limitations, are also examined. Furthermore, process‐intensification strategies, particularly ultrasound‐ and microwave‐assisted transesterification, are evaluated for their potential to improve mass transfer, reduce energy consumption, and enhance biodiesel productivity. Environmental sustainability, life‐cycle assessment, toxicity, fuel‐quality aspects, and techno‐economic feasibility are critically discussed to assess the industrial potential of green nanocatalysts. Current challenges related to scalable green synthesis, catalyst durability, operando characterization, and continuous‐flow processing are identified, and future research directions are proposed. This review provides an integrated framework for the rational design and industrial implementation of next‐generation green nanocatalysts for sustainable biodiesel production.
K. Nagalakshmi, P. Rajeswari, Binita Dev et al.· ChemistrySelect· 0 citations
Biocascade catalysis has emerged as a defining paradigm in contemporary synthesis, enabling the orchestration of multiple enzymatic transformations within a single vessel. By allowing intermediates to flow seamlessly between successive steps without isolation, cascades emulate the elegance of natural biosynthetic networks while delivering significant gains in atom economy and operational simplicity. The intrinsic chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity of enzymes facilitates the construction of architecturally complex, enantiomerically enriched molecules under mild, aqueous, and environmentally benign conditions. In this way, biocascade strategies accelerate the generation of molecular diversity while embodying the principles of sustainable chemistry by reducing energy demand, solvent use, and waste generation. Recent advances in protein engineering, directed evolution, computational enzyme design, and synthetic biology have expanded the scope of enzymatic cascades, transforming nature's catalytic repertoire into scalable synthetic technologies. Landmark studies now demonstrate their transformative potential in the assembly of complex polyketides, bioactive alkaloids, pharmaceuticals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as well as diverse heterocyclic scaffolds of medicinal relevance. Collectively, these achievements underscore the growing significance of biocascade catalysis as a cornerstone of modern synthesis, bridging the ingenuity of biological systems with the imperatives of next-generation drug discovery and sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Ram N. Yadav, Sovan Dey, S. Pandey et al.· ChemBioChem· 0 citations
Artificial cell catalysts are emerging as programmable biocatalytic platforms for sustainable molecular conversion. By reconstituting enzymes and functional modules within synthetic compartments, they combine the selectivity of biological catalysis with the design flexibility of synthetic materials. For biotransformation, their main promise lies in the ability to coordinate reaction pathways, molecular transport, energy supply, spatial organization, and catalyst recovery within defined reaction spaces. Recent studies have shown that artificial compartments can support multienzyme conversion, selective transport, ATP and cofactor regeneration, hierarchical reaction architectures, and immobilized or flow-compatible operation. However, the engineering principles needed to translate these systems from proof-of-concept constructs into practical biotransformation platforms remain insufficiently integrated. In this review, we examine artificial cell catalysts from a bioengineering perspective, focusing on how catalytic and transport functions, energy and cofactor regeneration, spatial organization, and reactor implementation jointly determine process performance. This integrated view provides a framework for advancing artificial cell catalysts from cell-mimetic constructs toward quantitatively assessable and process-compatible biocatalytic systems.
Iori Kobayashi, S. Yoshimoto, K. Hori· Biotechnology and Bioenginee...· 0 citations
Biodiesel, a renewable alternative to petroleum diesel, can be produced via esterification, hydro‐esterification, or transesterification reactions catalyzed by acids, bases, or enzymes. Enzymatic catalysis, particularly with lipases, offers several advantages over traditional catalysts, including high selectivity, milder reaction conditions, and reduced byproduct formation, such as soaps. Although enzyme cost remains a primary barrier to industrial adoption, recent advancements in enzyme engineering, immobilization techniques, and process optimisation have improved efficiency and reduced costs. Enzymes exhibit tolerance to water and free fatty acids, allowing for recycling and reuse, thereby enhancing their sustainability potential. Moreover, enzymatic routes produce biodiesel and glycerol of higher purity, thereby reducing downstream processing requirements and environmental impact. Considering the global energy transition, environmental and sustainability factors—such as lower emissions, reduced waste, and alignment with ESG criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) —should weigh heavily in technology assessments. While economic feasibility remains a concern, particularly due to slower reaction rates and higher enzyme‐to‐substrate ratios, a comprehensive evaluation that considers environmental benefits and product quality is essential. Policy support, market incentives, and enzyme accessibility are key to overcoming current limitations. This article critically analyses enzymatic biodiesel production, highlighting both the technical and strategic considerations necessary for its scale‐up. Despite cost‐related challenges, enzymatic catalysis offers a cleaner, more sustainable route with the potential to make significant contributions to green energy goals.
This article is categorized under:
Sustainable Energy > Bioenergy
Sustainable Energy > Other Renewables
Jéssica Beatriz R. A. Miranda, J. Milano, M. H. Sugai-Guérios· WIREs Energy and Environment· 0 citations
The increasing global demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified the need for efficient and environmentally friendly biomass-conversion technologies. Among these, thermochemical processes, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction, have emerged as promising pathways for transforming lignocellulosic and other organic waste materials into valuable biofuels and biochemicals. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of advanced thermochemical conversion and catalytic conversion methods, focusing on their operational mechanisms, catalytic enhancements, and product yields. The efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility of various thermochemical platforms, including recent developments in catalyst design and process-integration strategies, are compared, and innovative approaches to optimize hydrogen generation, improve carbon efficiency, and minimize undesirable byproducts through tailored reaction conditions and bifunctional catalytic systems are explored. Recent advances as well as the current challenges related to feedstock variability, process scalability, and system sustainability are highlighted. By identifying critical research gaps, this study provides strategic insights aimed at guiding future improvements in thermochemical biomass utilization for clean energy production within a circular economy framework.
Norah H. Almousa, Khawla M. Almalahi, Khulud A. Abuhaimed et al.· Catalysts· 0 citations
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