Biocatalysis in Water or in Non-Conventional Media? Adding the CO₂ Production for the Debate

verfasst von

Pablo Domínguez de María, Selin Kara, Fabrice Gallou

Abstract

Biocatalysis can be applied in aqueous media and in different non-aqueous solutions (non-conventional media). Water is a safe solvent, yet many synthesis-wise interesting substrates cannot be dissolved in aqueous solutions, and thus low concentrations are often applied. Conversely, non-conventional media may enable higher substrate loadings but at the cost of using (fossil-based) organic solvents. This paper determines the CO₂ production—expressed as kg CO₂·kg product⁻¹—of generic biotransformations in water and non-conventional media, assessing both the upstream and the downstream. The key to reaching a diminished environmental footprint is the type of wastewater treatment to be implemented. If the used chemicals enable a conventional (mild) wastewater treatment, the production of CO₂ is limited. If other (pre)treatments for the wastewater are needed to eliminate hazardous chemicals and solvents, higher environmental impacts can be expected (based on CO₂ production). Water media for biocatalysis are more sustainable during the upstream unit—the biocatalytic step—than non-conventional systems. However, processes with aqueous media often need to incorporate extractive solvents during the downstream processing. Both strategies result in comparable CO₂ production if extractive solvents are recycled at least 1–2 times. Under these conditions, a generic industrial biotransformation at 100 g L⁻¹ loading would produce 15–25 kg CO₂·kg product⁻¹ regardless of the applied media.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Technische Chemie

Externe Organisation(en)

Sustainable Momentum SL
Aarhus University
Novartis AG

Typ

Artikel

Journal

MOLECULES

Band

28

ISSN

1420-3049

Publikationsdatum

06.09.2023

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Analytische Chemie, Chemie (sonstige), Molekularmedizin, Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Wirkstoffforschung, Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Organische Chemie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 12 – Verantwortungsvoller Konsum und Produktion

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186452 (Zugang: Offen)