Biocatalysts and Enzyme Technology

Description

Enzymes are proteins and are nature’s own biocatalysts. Enzymes are produced by living systems to accelerate and sustain the myriad of chemical reactions necessary to sustain life. Biocatalysis underpins some of the oldest chemical transformations known to humans, for brewing predates recorded history. The oldest records of brewing are about 6000 years old and refer to the Sumerians. The employment of enzymes and whole cells have been important for many industries for centuries. The most obvious uses have been in the food and drink businesses where the production of wine, beer, cheese etc. is dependent on the effects of the microorganisms. Enzymes or biocatalyst are the natural proteins produced in tiny quantities by all living organisms and functioning as highly selective biochemical catalysts in converting one molecule into another. Enzymes are biological molecules with a definite structural organization that influence their catalytic function. Currently enzymes are being employed in industrial biotechnology for numerous purposes for the production of novel and sustainable products at a speedy rate. Enzyme technology encompasses modification of enzyme structure or its catalytic function to yield novel metabolites or to take part in new reaction pathways. The study and application of enzymes have assumed increasing importance both in medicine and in industry and a discussion of these aspects is therefore given prime importance.